Forest%20and%20Canopy%20Profile

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Forest and Canopy Profile

• Barrio do Moinho
• Mun. Nazaré Paulista, São Paulo, Brasil

Coordinates 231212 S, 462113 W Altitude
860.5 m
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Forest Stratification and Profiling

• The purpose of forest profiling is to provide a
  general idea of the vertical stratification of a
  site.
• Vegetation height was estimated using a known
  height reference point.
• Profile diagrams similar to those used by Davies
  Richards (1933).
• Please see Moore and Chapman, 1976, for a more
  complete description.

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Three Layers of Forest

• Layer 1 0-2 meters
• Decaying matter, vines, fallen trees, young
  trees, grasses, ferns, shrubs, lichens, mosses
• Layer 2 3-5 meters
• Hanging vines, short trees with thin trunks and
  small leaves, some trunks are thorny
• Layer 3 8-11 meters
• Emergent tree canopy, broad leaves, thicker
  trunks, some vines winding on tree branches and
  trunks

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Forest profiles from various angles
Trail view
From north side of quadrat
From south side of quadrat
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Compilation of angles for depth
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Canopy and Light

• We estimate that the canopy allows 20-30 of
  light to reach the forest floor.
• Most windows in the canopy were approximately 1
  meter, and none were more than 2 meters.
• Leaves were generally broad or long and in
  healthy condition.
• Several palm trees were the highest emergents.
• See the following slide for a canopy profile.

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Canopy Profile
Canopy Profile
Each cube of the grid represents approximately 1
square meter
Each cube of the grid represents approximately 1
square meter