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Image Analysis of Hemispherical Photographs, Algorithms and Calculations

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Hemispherical Photography in Forest Science: Theory, Methods, Applications

Part of the book series: Managing Forest Ecosystems ((MAFE,volume 28))

Abstract

This chapter is a logical continuation of the chapter on acquisition of hemispherical photographs (HP) in forest environments (Fournier et al. in Hemispherical photography in forest science: theory, methods, applications, Springer, Berlin, 2017), and describes the analysis of hemispherical or ‘fisheye’ canopy photographs, including the calculation of canopy solar radiation and structure. The workflow for digital images proceeds through several steps, from image input to the calculation of canopy structure and solar radiation variables:

  • Image input includes image selection and quality control, while image processing consists of editing and contrast enhancement, registration with coordinate systems, and the creation of configuration or parameter files.

  • Image classification is a critical step in the HP workflow . In the past, pixels were classified as either canopy or sky using manual selection of a threshold grayscale value. More recently, automated methods have become available for classifying pixels and have greatly increased the efficiency and productivity of HP workflow. We discuss some of these new methods for producing a binary data set from the grayscale information in HP.

  • Calculations and output of results from HP requires the definition of sampling grids or circular transects , along which gap fractions and gap sizes are measured as a function of zenith and azimuth directions. Quantitative solar and canopy structure indices, such as site factors and leaf area index (LAI), are output to spreadsheets or text files.

  • Conclusions. This final step includes the interpretation of the results, which are generally output to spreadsheets, databases and models.

In addition to discussing the steps in the workflow, this chapter also addresses some issues for modelling solar radiation that typically have been neglected, such as steep slopes , and briefly discusses alternative parameters and approaches for quantifying canopy structure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forestry Department, FAO of the United Nations, viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153, Rome, Italy

    Inge G. C. Jonckheere

  2. CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Private Bag No. 5, 6913, Wembley, WA, Australia

    Craig Macfarlane

  3. Département de botanique, Université Louis-Pasteur, Strasbourg, France

    Jean-Michel N. Walter

Authors
  1. Inge G. C. Jonckheere
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  2. Craig Macfarlane
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  3. Jean-Michel N. Walter
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Correspondence to Inge G. C. Jonckheere .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre d’Applications et de Recherches en Télédétection (CARTEL), Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada

    Richard A. Fournier

  2. Canadian Forest Services, Natural Resources Canada, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Ronald J. Hall

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Jonckheere, I.G.C., Macfarlane, C., Walter, JM.N. (2017). Image Analysis of Hemispherical Photographs, Algorithms and Calculations. In: Fournier, R., Hall, R. (eds) Hemispherical Photography in Forest Science: Theory, Methods, Applications. Managing Forest Ecosystems, vol 28. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1098-3_5

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