Canopy Footprint (Absolute) — Algorithm Notes

Related user page: Canopy Footprint (Absolute)

Purpose

Generate corridor polygons using an absolute threshold strategy for each centerline context.

Inputs and outputs

• Inputs: centerline vector, CHM/cost raster, threshold controls
• Output: canopy footprint polygons

Method summary

1. Build local analysis window around each centerline.
2. Compute corridor/cost surface response.
3. Apply absolute threshold(s) to extract footprint mask.
4. Convert mask to vector polygons and clean geometry.
5. Write output footprint layer.

Assumptions

• Absolute thresholds are meaningful across the target dataset.
• Input centerlines reasonably represent corridor center paths.

Edge cases

• Single global threshold may under/over-segment in heterogeneous canopy conditions.
• Raster artifacts/noise can create fragmented polygons without post-cleaning.