Characterization of canopy openness before and after a spruce budworm outbreak in the southern boreal forest

We propose a simple method that uses aerial photographs to characterize the impacts of a spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)) outbreak on canopy structure. Using aerial photographs taken at the beginning (1972) and after (1994) a major spruce budworm outbreak (1970–1987), we evaluated the change in canopy openness that occurred during the period of the outbreak, in five compositionally different stands. We compared canopy openness evaluated by photointerpretation with two independent field techniques and found a high degree of similarity between methods. Interpretation of the 1972 photographs (prior to the outbreak) shows that regardless of composition, four of our five analysed stands had about the same degree of mean canopy openness (17%–20%). Following the outbreak, openness increased in all stands except for the hardwood-dominated stand. The highest increase in openness (from 18% to 45%) occurred in the stand with the highest conifer content. Thematic maps and spatial analysis techniques were used to describe canopy openness distribution. Openness was low and uniformly distributed before the outbreak, whereas after the outbreak, the various degrees of openness had a patchy distribution in most stands. Furthermore, patch size increased with conifer content. Using the amount of increase in canopy openness and its specific distribution within stands, we propose guidelines for the development of silvicultural practices that mimic spruce budworm disturbances in boreal mixedwoods.