MODELING OF GEOMETRIC-PROPERTIES OF LOBLOLLY-PINE TREE AND STAND CHARACTERISTICS FOR USE IN RADAR BACKSCATTER STUDIES

An approach is presented to physically describe the tree and canopy co mponents within loblolly pine forests in studies of microwave backscat tering from forested canopies. The approach is based on a set of algor ithms which describe the biomass characteristics of individual trees u sing measurements of tree diameter, height, and canopy depth. These al gorithms predict bole, branch, and needle biomass; number, sizes, and orientations of primary and smaller branches; and number and density o f needle clumps. Methods are discussed to aggregate the individual tre e measurements into stand measurements (i.e., measurements per unit ar ea). The results of the model clearly show how biomass distribution be tween tree components and canopy layers varies as a function of stand age for loblolly pines. The results also show the approach can be used to predict changes in the branch size and orientation within the cano py as a function of stand age, both on an individual tree basis as wel l as an entire stand basis.