Quantifying tropical forest disturbances using canopy structural traits derived from terrestrial laser scanning

Forest disturbances can reduce the potential of ecosystems to provide resources and services. Despite the urgent need to understand the effects of logging on tropical ecosystems, the quantification of disturbances arising from selective logging remains a challenge. Here, we used canopy-three-dimensional information retrieved from Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) measurements to investigate the impacts of logging on key structural traits relevant to forest functioning. We addressed the following questions: 1) Which canopy structural traits were mostly affected by logging? 2) Can remotely-sensed... Mehr ...