- Metric Name:  Canopy Layer Count

- Data Vintage:  Summer 2020

Metric Definition and Relevance:

This layer represents the number of distinct vertical canopy layers of trees. Vertical layer count is a proxy for leaf area index, and maps canopy complexity. Since LANDFIRE doesn’t support a NoData value, all NoData pixels in canopy fuel metrics were set to 0 in the Landscape files. (e.g., canopy cover was set to 0 in all NoData locations). Topographic data and surface fuel model remain unaltered.

- Unit Of Measure: Count



Creation Method: Each forest structure metric was derived directly from airborne lidar data, hosted by the USGS 3D Elevation Program. However, these data are only available for a small fraction of California’s 423,970 km² area. To overcome this, we trained deep learning models—a form of pattern recognition—to identify these forest structure patterns in satellite imagery, then mapped each metric statewide.

These algorithms are of the U-net family of neural network architectures that perform pixel-wise regression and classification tasks. The satellite data includes imagery from Sentinel-1 C-band radar sensors and Sentinel-2 multispectral sensors at 10 m spatial resolution, collected in Fall 2019. Future versions will include imagery from PlanetScope multispectral sensors at 3 m resolution.

Downloaded from California Forest Observatory - Organizations - WIFIRE Commons Data Catalog (sdsc.edu). For more information, go to https://forestobservatory.com/about.html#about

- Credits:  California Forest Observatory (Salo Sciences), 2020

California Forest Observatory - Salo Sciences: 
Data disclaimer:  
Neither we, the Collaborators, nor our licensors or suppliers make any representations or warranties concerning any content contained in or accessed through the Services, and we will not be responsible or liable for the accuracy, copyright compliance, legality, or decency of material contained in or accessed through the Services. We (and our licensors and suppliers) make no representations or warranties regarding suggestions or recommendations of services or products offered or purchased through the Services. THE SERVICES AND CONTENT ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS-IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR THAT USE OF THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.