Stand density

It is defined as a measure of the relative completeness oftree stocking expressed as decimal coefficient, taking normalnumber of trees, basal area or volume as unity.

Canopy density

It is a measure of relative completeness of canopy and expressed as a decimal coefficient taking closed canopy as unity.

Classification of Canopy density

• Closed: If density is 1
• Dense: density is between 0.75-1
• Thin:0.5-0.75
• Open:under 0.5
• Pure: even aged forest rarely closed canopy

Spherical Densiometer

(An instrument for measuring forest overstorey density)

Robert E. Lemmon forest densitometers, 5733 SE comell Dr., Bartlesville, OK

Instructions:

• Hold instrument level, 12”-18” in front of body and at elbow height, so that operator’s head is just outside of grid area.
• Assume four equi-spaced dots in each square of the grid and systematically count dots equivalent to quarter-square canopy openings.
• Multiply the total count by 1.04 to obtain percent of overhead area not occupied by canopy. The difference between this and 100 is an estimation of over storey density in percent. (Assuming each dot to represent one percent is often accurate enough)
• Make four readings per location-facing North, East, South and West-record and average.