Description
Summed layer-area ratio, allowing canopy layers to overlap in projection.
Garden and resource-design calculations combine measured lengths, areas, water volumes, material fractions, travel, and evidence records. A useful budget needs consistent units and clear overlap, exclusion, and denominator rules. Supplied geometry and efficiencies describe a model rather than verified site performance.
Summed layer-area ratio, allowing canopy layers to overlap in projection.
When to use this tool
Use Food Forest Layer Canopy Area Share when you have supplied site dimensions or resource records and need the stated geometry, budget, or coverage measure.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter layerAreas, plotArea. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read layerAreaRatio. Use the output convention below.
For positive plotArea and nonnegative layerAreas return layerAreaRatio=sum(layerAreas)/plotArea.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| layerAreas | Layer Areas | Required. Array of finite number; maximum items 256. |
| plotArea | Plot Area | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| layerAreaRatio | Summed layer areas divided by plot area; overlaps are counted repeatedly. | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"layerAreas": [
20,
40,
60
],
"plotArea": 100
},
"output": {
"layerAreaRatio": 1.2
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Overlapping layers are summed rather than unioned, so the ratio can exceed one. This describes area accounting, not unique ground coverage, light interception, or ecological performance.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Signed zero is exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified site measurements and suitable physical or resource models for a complete design. Check units, overlap, losses, capacity, and whether an accounting share represents the intended quantity.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Design Zone Area Fraction
Supplied design-zone area accounting without inferring ecological performance.
- Guild Plant Canopy Overlap Budget
Three-canopy inclusion-exclusion from supplied pair and triple overlaps.