5 Emerging Trends in Plant Canopy Analysis for 2025

5 Emerging Trends in Plant Canopy Analysis for 2025

Plant canopy analysis is moving well beyond simple LAI estimates and light measurements. In 2025, researchers expect more integrated, data-rich, and field-ready approaches that connect canopy structure, physiology, and spectral responses in real time. As climate variability increases and breeding programs accelerate, the need for fast, accurate, and non-destructive plant canopy analysis is more urgent… Continue reading…

7 Funding Agencies That Require Leaf Area or LAI Data in Proposals

7 Funding Agencies That Require Leaf Area or LAI Data in Proposals

Leaf area index data shows up in more grant calls than many researchers expect. Whether you are studying crop productivity, forest carbon dynamics, ecosystem resilience, or climate adaptation, reviewers often want quantitative canopy metrics. Leaf area index data connects plant structure to function. It links canopy architecture to light interception, water use, carbon exchange, and… Continue reading…

5 Software Tools Compatible with Canopy Image Analysis

CI-110 Plant Canopy Imager

Canopy image analysis software plays a central role in turning field images into usable, quantitative data. Whether you are calculating leaf area index, measuring gap fraction, or modeling light interception, the quality of your analysis depends on both the instrument and the software you choose. For researchers using the CI-110 Plant Canopy Imager, selecting the… Continue reading…

How Often Do I Need to Recalibrate My CI‑110?

CI-110 Plant Canopy Imager: Field Work

Researchers rely on accurate canopy measurements to understand plant growth, light interception, and ecosystem dynamics. That is why many users ask about CI-110 recalibration when they begin working with the Plant Canopy Imager. The good news is that the CI-110 is designed to minimize recalibration requirements while maintaining reliable measurements in the field. With a… Continue reading…

What’s the Difference Between Gap‑Fraction and PAR Methods in Canopy Analysis?

What’s the Difference Between Gap‑Fraction and PAR Methods in Canopy Analysis

When researchers compare canopy analysis methods, the conversation usually comes down to one practical question: do you want to estimate canopy structure from images of the canopy itself, or from the light that makes it through the canopy? That is the core difference between gap-fraction and PAR methods. Both are used to estimate leaf area… Continue reading…

Canopy Cover Research 2024: 5 Breakthrough Findings You Need to Know

In 2024, studies focused on the combined effects of canopy cover along with those of other vegetation traits and environmental conditions. The crucial role of canopy cover in plant drought response strategies in various ecosystems and applications is an emergent theme. Canopy cover is also essential in studies promoting sustainable solutions from urban cooling, regenerative… Continue reading…

Measuring How Microclimate Affects Turmeric Yield

Turmeric is integrated as an under-canopy cash crop in agroforestry, as it is considered to be tolerant to light shade. The microclimate created by canopy trees differs, so it is important to find which species creates the optimum growing conditions for turmeric. Finding out the amount of light that is transmitted to the under-canopy is… Continue reading…

Influence of Environment on Plants

There is no denying the importance of light for the growth of plants; however, there are many other environmental factors—such as temperature, moisture and nutrient availability, and soil type–that also influence plant growth. These factors do not act in isolation and are, many times, correlated. So, it is interesting to see how light works in… Continue reading…

Upcoming Webinar: Made in the Shade- How 11 Research Studies Cleverly Use Canopy Analysis to Measure Crop & Forest Health

Special guest researchers Brendon Anthony of Colorado State University and Derek Godwin of Oregon State University, along with our application scientists Eric Munoz-Garcia and Galen George review 11 studies that have used canopy analysis for everything from typhoon effects to pruning!  Here is a quick look at some of what will be covered: How pruning… Continue reading…

Made in the Shade: How 11 Research Studies Use Canopy Analysis [Webinar Recording]

A couple weeks ago we hosted a webinar that looked at real research studies using canopy analysis in a variety of ways!  We were joined by two special guest researchers that talked about their own work using our CI-110 Plant Canopy Imager.  It was great to see so many different ways canopy imaging is used-… Continue reading…