csc_metrics function

Cover and sky fraction estimates

csc_metrics creates first-order canopy structural metrics that do not require normalization

csc_metrics(df, filename, transect.length)

Arguments

• df: data frame of uncorrected PCL data
• filename: name of file currently being processed
• transect.length: the length of the transect

Returns

slew of cover and sky fraction metrics

Details

The csc_metrics function processes uncorrected PCL data to generate canopy structural complexity (CSC) metrics that do not require normalization (i.e. correction for light saturation based on Beer-Lambert Law). These metrics include: mean return height of raw data, sd of raw canopy height returns, maximum measured canopy height, scan density (the average no. of LiDAR returns per linear meter), and both openness and cover fraction which are used for gap fraction calcuations.

Examples

csc.metrics <- csc_metrics(pcl_adjusted, filename = "UVA", transect.length = 10)