The fractal forest: fractal geometry and applications in forest science.

Nancy D. Lorimer; Robert G. Haight; Rolfe A. Leary

doi:10.2737/NC-GTR-170

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The fractal forest: fractal geometry and applications in forest science.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Nancy D. Lorimer, Robert G. Haight, Rolfe A. Leary

Year:

1994

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NC-GTR-170

Source:

General Technical Report NC-170. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station

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Download (PDF 8.34 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/10234.pdf

Abstract

Fractal geometry is a tool for describing and analyzing irregularity. Because most of what we measure in the forest is discontinuous, jagged, and fragmented, fractal geometry has potential for improving the precision of measurement and description. This study reviews the literature on fractal geometry and its applications to forest measurements.

Keywords

fractal geometry, forest mensuration, wildlife habitat description, vegetation mapping, microclimatology

Citation

Lorimer, Nancy D.; Haight, Robert G.; Leary, Rolfe A. 1994. The fractal forest: fractal geometry and applications in forest science. General Technical Report NC-170. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station