87
Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) are dominant. The forest stand has a relatively high diversity of species, ages, and diameters (Eugster et al. 2007). The ground
cover mainly consists of bare soil, boulders, and litter, while the sparse understory
vegetation is dominated by herbs and shrubs. Average canopy height (CH) is 24.9 m,
with a maximum of 49 m, and the stem density is 270 stems per ha.
4.3 Data
4.3.1 In-Situ Data
Ground data with varying spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution allow for the
3-D reconstruction of the Laegeren, its attribution with leaf optical properties
(LOPs), and generation of a reference database for parameterization and validation
purposes. We used multitemporal TLS on a 60 m × 60 m plot (Sect. 4.3.2.2) and an
extensive forest inventory for an area of 300 m × 300 m, which is extended to
300 m × 900 m for the simulation of EO data. In the inventory data, the type and
accurate position of the trees, as well as their crown dimension and offset due to
leaning stems, social position, and vertical stratification of the crown, were recorded
(Sect. 4.3.1.2). In addition, the occurrence and characterization of the understory
was mapped in the field and interpolated to a 2 m × 2 m grid using an ALS-based
classification (Leiterer et al. 2013).
Fig. 4.2 Location of the Laegeren site within Switzerland
4 The Laegeren Site: An Augmented Forest Laboratory
Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) are dominant. The forest stand has a relatively high diversity of species, ages, and diameters (Eugster et al. 2007). The ground
cover mainly consists of bare soil, boulders, and litter, while the sparse understory
vegetation is dominated by herbs and shrubs. Average canopy height (CH) is 24.9 m,
with a maximum of 49 m, and the stem density is 270 stems per ha.
4.3 Data
4.3.1 In-Situ Data
Ground data with varying spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution allow for the
3-D reconstruction of the Laegeren, its attribution with leaf optical properties
(LOPs), and generation of a reference database for parameterization and validation
purposes. We used multitemporal TLS on a 60 m × 60 m plot (Sect. 4.3.2.2) and an
extensive forest inventory for an area of 300 m × 300 m, which is extended to
300 m × 900 m for the simulation of EO data. In the inventory data, the type and
accurate position of the trees, as well as their crown dimension and offset due to
leaning stems, social position, and vertical stratification of the crown, were recorded
(Sect. 4.3.1.2). In addition, the occurrence and characterization of the understory
was mapped in the field and interpolated to a 2 m × 2 m grid using an ALS-based
classification (Leiterer et al. 2013).
Fig. 4.2 Location of the Laegeren site within Switzerland
4 The Laegeren Site: An Augmented Forest Laboratory