Hemispherical Photography
Service: Measure local solar radiation and canopy structure using
hemispherical photography.
The Technique: Hemispherical photography, also known as canopy or
fisheye photography, is a powerful technique for calculating light regimes
under plant canopies and for assessing canopy structure. Hemiphotos
are acquired using a camera fitted with a special wide-angle lens pointed
upwards, providing a 180 degree (hemispherical) view. The resulting
circular images depict the zenith at the center and the horizons at the
edges. Using computer image analysis tools we are able to calculate the
direct and diffuse light that penetrates through canopy openings. We can
also estimate properties of the canopy itself, such as leaf area index (the
area of foliage per unit ground area).
Our Contribution: Over the years we have contributed to the basic
scientific theory and methods underlying the hemispherical photography
technique, and have applied the technique to address diverse scientific
and conservation problems. For example, we have used hemispherical
photography to characterize the winter roosting sites of monarch
butterflies, allowing us to identify critical areas where tree loss reduces
habitat quality. In another example, we have used the technique to
examine riparian vegetation influences on stream temperature, allowing
us to explore conservation implications of tree removal, riparian
restoration, and climate change. Recently we have begun using
hemispherical photography to evaluate favorable conditions for producing
quality wine grapes, allowing us to determine appropriate trellis design
for unique conditions of different vineyards.
More Information:
• Wikipedia Hemispherical Photography article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemispherical_photography
Service: Measure local solar radiation and canopy structure using
hemispherical photography.
The Technique: Hemispherical photography, also known as canopy or
fisheye photography, is a powerful technique for calculating light regimes
under plant canopies and for assessing canopy structure. Hemiphotos
are acquired using a camera fitted with a special wide-angle lens pointed
upwards, providing a 180 degree (hemispherical) view. The resulting
circular images depict the zenith at the center and the horizons at the
edges. Using computer image analysis tools we are able to calculate the
direct and diffuse light that penetrates through canopy openings. We can
also estimate properties of the canopy itself, such as leaf area index (the
area of foliage per unit ground area).
Our Contribution: Over the years we have contributed to the basic
scientific theory and methods underlying the hemispherical photography
technique, and have applied the technique to address diverse scientific
and conservation problems. For example, we have used hemispherical
photography to characterize the winter roosting sites of monarch
butterflies, allowing us to identify critical areas where tree loss reduces
habitat quality. In another example, we have used the technique to
examine riparian vegetation influences on stream temperature, allowing
us to explore conservation implications of tree removal, riparian
restoration, and climate change. Recently we have begun using
hemispherical photography to evaluate favorable conditions for producing
quality wine grapes, allowing us to determine appropriate trellis design
for unique conditions of different vineyards.
More Information:
• Wikipedia Hemispherical Photography article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemispherical_photography
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References
Bellingham, P.J., E.V.J. Tanner, P.M. Rich, and T.C.R. Goodland. 1996. Changes in light below the canopy
of a Jamaican montane rain forest after a hurricane. Journal of Tropical Ecology 12:699–722. pdf
Breshears, D.D., P.M. Rich, F.J. Barnes, and K. Campbell. 1997. Overstory–imposed heterogeneity in
solar radiation and soil moisture in a semiarid woodland. Ecological Applications 7:1201–1215. pdf
Chen, J.M., P.M. Rich, S.T. Gower, J.M. Norman, and S. Plummer. 1997. Leaf area index of boreal forests:
theory, techniques, and measurements. Journal of Geophysical Research, BOREAS Special Issue 102(D24):
29429–29444. pdf
Clark, D.B., D.A. Clark, and P.M. Rich. 1993. Comparative analysis of microhabitat utilization by saplings
of nine tree species in neotropical rain forest. Biotropica 25:397–407. pdf
Clark, D.B., D.A. Clark, P.M. Rich, S.B. Weiss, and S.F. Oberbauer. 1996. Landscape–scale evaluation of
understory light and canopy structure: methods and application in a neotropical lowland rain forest.
Canadian Journal of Forest Research 26:747–757. pdf
Fournier, R.A., P.M. Rich, and R. Landry. 1997. Hierarchical characterization of canopy architecture for
boreal forest. Journal of Geophysical Research, BOREAS Special Issue 102(D24):29445–29454. pdf
Fournier, R.A., P.M. Rich, Y.R. Alger, V.L. Peterson, R. Landry, and N.M. August. 1995. Canopy
architecture of boreal forests: links between remote sensing and ecology. American Society for
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Technical Papers 2:225-235.
Galo, A.T., P.M. Rich, and J.J. Ewel. 1992. Effects of forest edges on the solar radiation regime in a
series of reconstructed tropical ecosystems. American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Technical Papers. pp 98–108.
Lerdau, M.T., Holbrook, N.M., H.A. Mooney, P.M. Rich, and J.L. Whitbeck. 1992. Seasonal patterns of acid
fluctuations and resource storage in the arborescent cactus Opuntia excelsa in relation to light
availability and size. Oecologia 92:166-171. pdf
Lin, T., P.M. Rich, D.A. Heisler, and F.J. Barnes. 1992. Influences of canopy geometry on near-ground
solar radiation and water balances of pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine woodlands. American Society
for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Technical Papers. pp. 285-294.
Oberbauer, S.F., D.B. Clark, D.A. Clark, P.M. Rich, and G. Vega. 1993. Light environment, gas exchange,
and annual growth of saplings of three species of rain forest trees in Costa Rica. Journal of Tropical
Ecology 9:511–523. pdf
Rich, P.M. 1988. Video image analysis of hemispherical canopy photography. In: P.W. Mausel (ed), First
Special Workshop on Videography. Terre Haute, Indiana. May 19-20, 1988, American Society for
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, pp. 84-95.
Rich, P.M. 1989. A manual for analysis of hemispherical canopy photography. Los Alamos National
Laboratory Report LA-11733-M. pdf
Rich, P.M. 1990. Characterizing plant canopies with hemispherical photographs. In: N.S. Goel and J.M.
Norman (eds), Instrumentation for studying vegetation canopies for remote sensing in optical and
thermal infrared regions. Remote Sensing Reviews 5:13-29. pdf
Rich, P.M., D.A. Clark, D.B. Clark, and S.F. Oberbauer. 1993. Long–term study of solar radiation regimes
in a tropical wet forest using quantum sensors and hemispherical photography. Agricultural and Forest
Meteorology 65:107–127. pdf
Rich, P.M., R. Dubayah, W.A. Hetrick, and S.C. Saving. 1994. Using viewshed models to calculate
intercepted solar radiation: applications in ecology. American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote
Sensing Technical Papers. pp 524–529. pdf
Rich, P.M., D.M. Ranken, and J.G. George. 1989. A manual for microcomputer image analysis. Los Alamos
National Laboratory Technical Report LA–11732–M. pdf
Rich, P.M., J. Chen, S.J. Sulatycki, R. Vashisht, and W.S. Wachspress. 1995. Calculation of leaf area
index and other canopy indices from gap fraction: a manual for the LAICALC software. Kansas Applied
Remote Sensing Program Open File Report. Lawrence, KS. pdf
Rich, P.M., J. Wood, D.A. Vieglais, K. Burek, and N. Webb. 1999. Guide to HemiView: software for
analysis of hemispherical photography. Delta–T Devices, Ltd., Cambridge, England. pdf
Rich, P.M., N.M. Holbrook, and N. Luttinger. 1995. Leaf development and crown geometry of two
iriarteoid palms. American Journal of Botany 82:328–336. pdf
Shaw, D.C., and S.B. Weiss. 2000. Canopy light and the distribution of hemlock dwarf mistletoe
(Arceuthobium tsugenses [Rosendahl] G.N. Jones subsp. tsugense) aerial shoots in an old-growth
Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest. Northwest Science 74:306-315. pdf
Weiss, S.B. 2000. Vertical and temporal patterns of insolation in an old-growth forest. Canadian Journal
of Forest Research 30:1953-1964 pdf
Weiss, S.B., P.M. Rich, D.D. Murphy, W.H. Calvert, P.R. Ehrlich. 1991. Forest canopy structure at
overwintering monarch butterfly sites: measurements with hemispherical photography. Conservation
Biology 5:165-175. pdf
Weiss, S.B., and D.C. Luth. 2002. Assessment of overwintering monarch butterfly habitat at Cooper
Grove (Andrew Molera State Park, Monterey County, CA) using hemispherical photography. Creekside
Center for Earth Observation Report, Menlo Park, CA. pdf
Weiss, S.B., D.C. Luth, and B. Guerra. 2003. Potential solar radiation in a VSP trellis at 38°N latitude.
Practical Winery and Vineyard 25:16-27. pdf
Weiss, S.B., et al. 2005. Topoclimate and microclimate in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
(Mexico). World Wildlife Fund Project. Creekside Center for Earth Observation Report, Menlo Park, CA.
pdf
Bellingham, P.J., E.V.J. Tanner, P.M. Rich, and T.C.R. Goodland. 1996. Changes in light below the canopy
of a Jamaican montane rain forest after a hurricane. Journal of Tropical Ecology 12:699–722. pdf
Breshears, D.D., P.M. Rich, F.J. Barnes, and K. Campbell. 1997. Overstory–imposed heterogeneity in
solar radiation and soil moisture in a semiarid woodland. Ecological Applications 7:1201–1215. pdf
Chen, J.M., P.M. Rich, S.T. Gower, J.M. Norman, and S. Plummer. 1997. Leaf area index of boreal forests:
theory, techniques, and measurements. Journal of Geophysical Research, BOREAS Special Issue 102(D24):
29429–29444. pdf
Clark, D.B., D.A. Clark, and P.M. Rich. 1993. Comparative analysis of microhabitat utilization by saplings
of nine tree species in neotropical rain forest. Biotropica 25:397–407. pdf
Clark, D.B., D.A. Clark, P.M. Rich, S.B. Weiss, and S.F. Oberbauer. 1996. Landscape–scale evaluation of
understory light and canopy structure: methods and application in a neotropical lowland rain forest.
Canadian Journal of Forest Research 26:747–757. pdf
Fournier, R.A., P.M. Rich, and R. Landry. 1997. Hierarchical characterization of canopy architecture for
boreal forest. Journal of Geophysical Research, BOREAS Special Issue 102(D24):29445–29454. pdf
Fournier, R.A., P.M. Rich, Y.R. Alger, V.L. Peterson, R. Landry, and N.M. August. 1995. Canopy
architecture of boreal forests: links between remote sensing and ecology. American Society for
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Technical Papers 2:225-235.
Galo, A.T., P.M. Rich, and J.J. Ewel. 1992. Effects of forest edges on the solar radiation regime in a
series of reconstructed tropical ecosystems. American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Technical Papers. pp 98–108.
Lerdau, M.T., Holbrook, N.M., H.A. Mooney, P.M. Rich, and J.L. Whitbeck. 1992. Seasonal patterns of acid
fluctuations and resource storage in the arborescent cactus Opuntia excelsa in relation to light
availability and size. Oecologia 92:166-171. pdf
Lin, T., P.M. Rich, D.A. Heisler, and F.J. Barnes. 1992. Influences of canopy geometry on near-ground
solar radiation and water balances of pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine woodlands. American Society
for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Technical Papers. pp. 285-294.
Oberbauer, S.F., D.B. Clark, D.A. Clark, P.M. Rich, and G. Vega. 1993. Light environment, gas exchange,
and annual growth of saplings of three species of rain forest trees in Costa Rica. Journal of Tropical
Ecology 9:511–523. pdf
Rich, P.M. 1988. Video image analysis of hemispherical canopy photography. In: P.W. Mausel (ed), First
Special Workshop on Videography. Terre Haute, Indiana. May 19-20, 1988, American Society for
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, pp. 84-95.
Rich, P.M. 1989. A manual for analysis of hemispherical canopy photography. Los Alamos National
Laboratory Report LA-11733-M. pdf
Rich, P.M. 1990. Characterizing plant canopies with hemispherical photographs. In: N.S. Goel and J.M.
Norman (eds), Instrumentation for studying vegetation canopies for remote sensing in optical and
thermal infrared regions. Remote Sensing Reviews 5:13-29. pdf
Rich, P.M., D.A. Clark, D.B. Clark, and S.F. Oberbauer. 1993. Long–term study of solar radiation regimes
in a tropical wet forest using quantum sensors and hemispherical photography. Agricultural and Forest
Meteorology 65:107–127. pdf
Rich, P.M., R. Dubayah, W.A. Hetrick, and S.C. Saving. 1994. Using viewshed models to calculate
intercepted solar radiation: applications in ecology. American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote
Sensing Technical Papers. pp 524–529. pdf
Rich, P.M., D.M. Ranken, and J.G. George. 1989. A manual for microcomputer image analysis. Los Alamos
National Laboratory Technical Report LA–11732–M. pdf
Rich, P.M., J. Chen, S.J. Sulatycki, R. Vashisht, and W.S. Wachspress. 1995. Calculation of leaf area
index and other canopy indices from gap fraction: a manual for the LAICALC software. Kansas Applied
Remote Sensing Program Open File Report. Lawrence, KS. pdf
Rich, P.M., J. Wood, D.A. Vieglais, K. Burek, and N. Webb. 1999. Guide to HemiView: software for
analysis of hemispherical photography. Delta–T Devices, Ltd., Cambridge, England. pdf
Rich, P.M., N.M. Holbrook, and N. Luttinger. 1995. Leaf development and crown geometry of two
iriarteoid palms. American Journal of Botany 82:328–336. pdf
Shaw, D.C., and S.B. Weiss. 2000. Canopy light and the distribution of hemlock dwarf mistletoe
(Arceuthobium tsugenses [Rosendahl] G.N. Jones subsp. tsugense) aerial shoots in an old-growth
Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest. Northwest Science 74:306-315. pdf
Weiss, S.B. 2000. Vertical and temporal patterns of insolation in an old-growth forest. Canadian Journal
of Forest Research 30:1953-1964 pdf
Weiss, S.B., P.M. Rich, D.D. Murphy, W.H. Calvert, P.R. Ehrlich. 1991. Forest canopy structure at
overwintering monarch butterfly sites: measurements with hemispherical photography. Conservation
Biology 5:165-175. pdf
Weiss, S.B., and D.C. Luth. 2002. Assessment of overwintering monarch butterfly habitat at Cooper
Grove (Andrew Molera State Park, Monterey County, CA) using hemispherical photography. Creekside
Center for Earth Observation Report, Menlo Park, CA. pdf
Weiss, S.B., D.C. Luth, and B. Guerra. 2003. Potential solar radiation in a VSP trellis at 38°N latitude.
Practical Winery and Vineyard 25:16-27. pdf
Weiss, S.B., et al. 2005. Topoclimate and microclimate in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
(Mexico). World Wildlife Fund Project. Creekside Center for Earth Observation Report, Menlo Park, CA.
| Hemispherical photograph used to study microclimate of winter roosting habitat at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico (photo by S. Weiss). |
| Hemispherical photographs being acquired to assess conditions for grape ripening in vineyards (photo by S. Weiss). |
| Stream reaches with closed-canopy (left) versus open-canopy (right) riparian vegetation have markedly different temperature regimes . |
 |