canopy cover

Canopy cover refers to the proportion of the ground area shaded or covered by the tops of trees or large plants when viewed from above. It indicates how much of the landscape is occupied or shaded by the upper layers of vegetation, affecting factors like sunlight reaching the ground, temperature, and habitat availability. For example, a forest with dense canopy cover has many overlapping tree crowns, providing extensive shade, while an open area has little to no canopy cover, allowing more sunlight and air to reach the ground. It’s an important measure in ecology and land management for understanding vegetation density and ecosystem health.