Canopy density and complexity jointly regulate light attenuation: Insights from multi-platform LiDAR in the Greater Khingan forests

Canopy density and complexity jointly regulate light attenuation: Insights from multi-platform LiDAR in the Greater Khingan forests | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 22 October 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Canopy density and complexity jointly regulate light attenuation: Insights from multi-platform LiDAR in the Greater Khingan forests Authors : Yang Liu , Hongyan Zhang 0000-0001-6177-9124 [email protected] , Shan Yu , Jianjun Zhao , Hongbing Chen , Ying Hong , Tongxin Wang , Hui Li , Zhiyong Wang , and Tao Xiong Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176115811.14709170/v1 177 views 126 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Light is a fundamental resource constraining forest productivity and ecosystem functioning, and its attenuation within the canopy is jointly regulated by canopy density and structural complexity. While previous studies have mainly focused on total light interception, the mechanisms driving the spatial heterogeneity of light attenuation remain insufficiently understood. Here, we integrated multi-platform LiDAR data with a three-dimensional radiative transfer model to quantify how canopy structure regulates both the intensity and spatial heterogeneity of light attenuation, focusing on typical Larix gmelinii and Betula platyphylla in the Great Xing’an Mountains. The fusion of multi-platform LiDAR data substantially reduced occlusion bias and improved the accuracy of canopy structural characterization. Along forest stand development, increasing canopy height and structural complexity enhanced upper-canopy light interception and intensified self-shading in the understory. Further analysis showed that canopy density, characterized by the plant area index (PAI), was the dominant factor controlling the intensity of light attenuation, whereas canopy structural complexity(CSC)—quantified by canopy entropy (CE) and the coefficient of variation of plant area density (PADcv)—effectively mitigated the heterogeneity of light attenuation by optimizing vertical light allocation.Our findings highlight the complementary roles of canopy density and structural complexity in regulating light attenuation mechanisms. This study provides new empirical evidence for understanding forest structure–function coupling and offers valuable implications for forest management and carbon sink assessment under changing environmental conditions. Supplementary Material File (main_document (1).docx) Download 27.32 MB File (supporting information.docx) Download 102.94 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 22 October 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords comparative ecological experiment ecosystem ecosystem ecology plants statistical terrestrial Authors Affiliations Yang Liu Northeast Normal University View all articles by this author Hongyan Zhang 0000-0001-6177-9124 [email protected] Northeast Normal University View all articles by this author Shan Yu Inner Mongolia Normal University View all articles by this author Jianjun Zhao Northeast Normal University View all articles by this author Hongbing Chen Jilin Agricultural University View all articles by this author Ying Hong Inner Mongolia Normal University View all articles by this author Tongxin Wang Northeast Normal University View all articles by this author Hui Li Northeast Normal University View all articles by this author Zhiyong Wang Northeast Normal University View all articles by this author Tao Xiong Peking University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 177 views 126 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Yang Liu, Hongyan Zhang, Shan Yu, et al. Canopy density and complexity jointly regulate light attenuation: Insights from multi-platform LiDAR in the Greater Khingan forests. Authorea . 22 October 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176115811.14709170/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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