Use this plant measurement when samples, dry- or fresh-mass basis, image threshold, geometry, instrument calibration, and treatment timing follow one consistent protocol.

Maximum surface elevation

A finite measured or assumed value, expressed in m.

Ground elevation

A finite measured or assumed value, expressed in m.

The implementation follows this calculation rule: Derive canopy height by subtracting the ground elevation from the maximum surface elevation of a canopy height model.

Canopy height

The calculated canopy height in m.

Pigment proxies, canopy metrics, tissue density, and leakage indices are method-dependent. Species, developmental stage, hydration, illumination, extraction efficiency, sensor angle, and environmental conditions can confound comparisons. Preserve the input values and units so the result can be audited and recalculated.

Pair the proxy with calibrated chemical analysis, destructive biomass sampling, or repeated field measurements where practical. Report environmental conditions and whether values use fresh mass, dry mass, area, or volume.

• Canopy Cover %

  Compute canopy cover as canopy area divided by total plot area times 100.

• Gap Fraction %

  Compute canopy gap fraction as a percentage of sky-visible pixels over total hemispherical image pixels.

• Canopy Bulk Density

  Compute canopy bulk density in kilograms per cubic metre as the canopy fuel mass divided by the canopy volume.