Towards standardised crown condition assessment in poplar plantations

摘要: • This work aims at developing new tools for rapid assessment of forest health indicators in poplar plantations. • Crown transparency and discoloration were visually evaluated all trees four 15 m-radius sub-plots 32 clonal plantations, which chosen according to a factorial scheme with three factors: tree age, site quality understorey vegetation management. A subset was assessed using digital photos processed semi-automatic image analysis system (the CROCO software) order compare visual crown estimates. • Poplar conditions better young stands rich sites. Harrowing improved poor Samples 20 per stand provided the same information about as 60 trees. Calibration curves estimates successfully fitted against estimates. The effects age could be detected response variable. • use ca. twenty is therefore recommended accurately objectively monitor condition plantations.