Forest Gap Management System: A Progressive Web Application for Real-Time Forest Canopy Gap Assessment and Classification

Kato Samuel Namuene; Njang Ayem Cynthia

doi:doi:10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13

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Forest Gap Management System: A Progressive Web Application for Real-Time Forest Canopy Gap Assessment and Classification

Kato Samuel Namuene^*

, Njang Ayem Cynthia

Published in Science Development (Volume 7, Issue 1)

Received: 3 January 2026 Accepted: 13 January 2026 Published: 30 January 2026

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Abstract

Forest canopy gaps play a crucial role in forest dynamics, biodiversity maintenance, and ecosystem regeneration. Traditional gap assessment methods often involve manual data collection followed by post-fieldwork computational analysis, creating temporal delays and potential data integrity issues. This paper presents a novel Progressive Web Application (PWA) designed to streamline forest gap measurement, classification, and data management in real-time field conditions. The application implements two complementary measurement methodologies; the ellipse approximation and grid-quadrat methods, alongside automated Brokaw's classification system. Developed using modern web technologies, the PWA features robust offline functionality, low resource demands (e.g., 1.2 s initial load time, 2.4 MB offline cache, minimal battery impact), and full cross-platform compatibility. The Progressive Web App (PWA) is available at the following URL: https://gap-dynamics-app.onrender.comField validation in Korup National Park (n=303 gaps) confirmed high agreement between methods (Pearson r=0.997, explaining 99.4% of variance; mean bias -17 units, 95% limits of agreement -24 to -10 units), with the ellipse method showing an 11.7% systematic underestimation suitable for calibration or complementary use. Compared to paper-based approaches, the digital app achieved a 47% reduction in time per gap (from 8.4 to 4.5 minutes), complete elimination of transcription errors, data loss, and classification errors, and immediate data availability. User acceptance was very high (mean ratings 4.6-5.0/5), with qualitative feedback emphasizing efficiency, reliability, and data quality. The open-architecture design facilitates adaptation to diverse ecosystems, while the PWA framework ensures accessibility without installation barriers. This tool represents a significant advancement in digital forestry, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and reliability in tropical forest research.

Published in	Science Development (Volume 7, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13
Page(s)	28-47
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Forest Gap Dynamics, Progressive Web Application, Brokaw's Classification, Forest Informatics, Offline-First Applications, Tropical Forest Ecology, Field Data Management

References

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Namuene, K. S., Cynthia, N. A. (2026). Forest Gap Management System: A Progressive Web Application for Real-Time Forest Canopy Gap Assessment and Classification. Science Development, 7(1), 28-47. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13

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Namuene, K. S.; Cynthia, N. A. Forest Gap Management System: A Progressive Web Application for Real-Time Forest Canopy Gap Assessment and Classification. Sci. Dev. 2026, 7(1), 28-47. doi: 10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13

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Namuene KS, Cynthia NA. Forest Gap Management System: A Progressive Web Application for Real-Time Forest Canopy Gap Assessment and Classification. Sci Dev. 2026;7(1):28-47. doi: 10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13

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@article{10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13,
  author = {Kato Samuel Namuene and Njang Ayem Cynthia},
  title = {Forest Gap Management System: A Progressive Web Application for Real-Time Forest Canopy Gap Assessment and Classification},
  journal = {Science Development},
  volume = {7},
  number = {1},
  pages = {28-47},
  doi = {10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.scidev.20260701.13},
  abstract = {Forest canopy gaps play a crucial role in forest dynamics, biodiversity maintenance, and ecosystem regeneration. Traditional gap assessment methods often involve manual data collection followed by post-fieldwork computational analysis, creating temporal delays and potential data integrity issues. This paper presents a novel Progressive Web Application (PWA) designed to streamline forest gap measurement, classification, and data management in real-time field conditions. The application implements two complementary measurement methodologies; the ellipse approximation and grid-quadrat methods, alongside automated Brokaw's classification system. Developed using modern web technologies, the PWA features robust offline functionality, low resource demands (e.g., 1.2 s initial load time, 2.4 MB offline cache, minimal battery impact), and full cross-platform compatibility. The Progressive Web App (PWA) is available at the following URL: https://gap-dynamics-app.onrender.comField validation in Korup National Park (n=303 gaps) confirmed high agreement between methods (Pearson r=0.997, explaining 99.4% of variance; mean bias -17 units, 95% limits of agreement -24 to -10 units), with the ellipse method showing an 11.7% systematic underestimation suitable for calibration or complementary use. Compared to paper-based approaches, the digital app achieved a 47% reduction in time per gap (from 8.4 to 4.5 minutes), complete elimination of transcription errors, data loss, and classification errors, and immediate data availability. User acceptance was very high (mean ratings 4.6-5.0/5), with qualitative feedback emphasizing efficiency, reliability, and data quality. The open-architecture design facilitates adaptation to diverse ecosystems, while the PWA framework ensures accessibility without installation barriers. This tool represents a significant advancement in digital forestry, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and reliability in tropical forest research.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Forest Gap Management System: A Progressive Web Application for Real-Time Forest Canopy Gap Assessment and Classification
AU  - Kato Samuel Namuene
AU  - Njang Ayem Cynthia
Y1  - 2026/01/30
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13
T2  - Science Development
JF  - Science Development
JO  - Science Development
SP  - 28
EP  - 47
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7154
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13
AB  - Forest canopy gaps play a crucial role in forest dynamics, biodiversity maintenance, and ecosystem regeneration. Traditional gap assessment methods often involve manual data collection followed by post-fieldwork computational analysis, creating temporal delays and potential data integrity issues. This paper presents a novel Progressive Web Application (PWA) designed to streamline forest gap measurement, classification, and data management in real-time field conditions. The application implements two complementary measurement methodologies; the ellipse approximation and grid-quadrat methods, alongside automated Brokaw's classification system. Developed using modern web technologies, the PWA features robust offline functionality, low resource demands (e.g., 1.2 s initial load time, 2.4 MB offline cache, minimal battery impact), and full cross-platform compatibility. The Progressive Web App (PWA) is available at the following URL: https://gap-dynamics-app.onrender.comField validation in Korup National Park (n=303 gaps) confirmed high agreement between methods (Pearson r=0.997, explaining 99.4% of variance; mean bias -17 units, 95% limits of agreement -24 to -10 units), with the ellipse method showing an 11.7% systematic underestimation suitable for calibration or complementary use. Compared to paper-based approaches, the digital app achieved a 47% reduction in time per gap (from 8.4 to 4.5 minutes), complete elimination of transcription errors, data loss, and classification errors, and immediate data availability. User acceptance was very high (mean ratings 4.6-5.0/5), with qualitative feedback emphasizing efficiency, reliability, and data quality. The open-architecture design facilitates adaptation to diverse ecosystems, while the PWA framework ensures accessibility without installation barriers. This tool represents a significant advancement in digital forestry, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and reliability in tropical forest research.
VL  - 7
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Kato Samuel Namuene

Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-3258-6862
Njang Ayem Cynthia

Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-1896-2789

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Namuene, K. S., Cynthia, N. A. (2026). Forest Gap Management System: A Progressive Web Application for Real-Time Forest Canopy Gap Assessment and Classification. Science Development, 7(1), 28-47. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13

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Namuene, K. S.; Cynthia, N. A. Forest Gap Management System: A Progressive Web Application for Real-Time Forest Canopy Gap Assessment and Classification. Sci. Dev. 2026, 7(1), 28-47. doi: 10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13

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Namuene KS, Cynthia NA. Forest Gap Management System: A Progressive Web Application for Real-Time Forest Canopy Gap Assessment and Classification. Sci Dev. 2026;7(1):28-47. doi: 10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13

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@article{10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13,
  author = {Kato Samuel Namuene and Njang Ayem Cynthia},
  title = {Forest Gap Management System: A Progressive Web Application for Real-Time Forest Canopy Gap Assessment and Classification},
  journal = {Science Development},
  volume = {7},
  number = {1},
  pages = {28-47},
  doi = {10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.scidev.20260701.13},
  abstract = {Forest canopy gaps play a crucial role in forest dynamics, biodiversity maintenance, and ecosystem regeneration. Traditional gap assessment methods often involve manual data collection followed by post-fieldwork computational analysis, creating temporal delays and potential data integrity issues. This paper presents a novel Progressive Web Application (PWA) designed to streamline forest gap measurement, classification, and data management in real-time field conditions. The application implements two complementary measurement methodologies; the ellipse approximation and grid-quadrat methods, alongside automated Brokaw's classification system. Developed using modern web technologies, the PWA features robust offline functionality, low resource demands (e.g., 1.2 s initial load time, 2.4 MB offline cache, minimal battery impact), and full cross-platform compatibility. The Progressive Web App (PWA) is available at the following URL: https://gap-dynamics-app.onrender.comField validation in Korup National Park (n=303 gaps) confirmed high agreement between methods (Pearson r=0.997, explaining 99.4% of variance; mean bias -17 units, 95% limits of agreement -24 to -10 units), with the ellipse method showing an 11.7% systematic underestimation suitable for calibration or complementary use. Compared to paper-based approaches, the digital app achieved a 47% reduction in time per gap (from 8.4 to 4.5 minutes), complete elimination of transcription errors, data loss, and classification errors, and immediate data availability. User acceptance was very high (mean ratings 4.6-5.0/5), with qualitative feedback emphasizing efficiency, reliability, and data quality. The open-architecture design facilitates adaptation to diverse ecosystems, while the PWA framework ensures accessibility without installation barriers. This tool represents a significant advancement in digital forestry, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and reliability in tropical forest research.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Forest Gap Management System: A Progressive Web Application for Real-Time Forest Canopy Gap Assessment and Classification
AU  - Kato Samuel Namuene
AU  - Njang Ayem Cynthia
Y1  - 2026/01/30
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13
T2  - Science Development
JF  - Science Development
JO  - Science Development
SP  - 28
EP  - 47
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7154
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20260701.13
AB  - Forest canopy gaps play a crucial role in forest dynamics, biodiversity maintenance, and ecosystem regeneration. Traditional gap assessment methods often involve manual data collection followed by post-fieldwork computational analysis, creating temporal delays and potential data integrity issues. This paper presents a novel Progressive Web Application (PWA) designed to streamline forest gap measurement, classification, and data management in real-time field conditions. The application implements two complementary measurement methodologies; the ellipse approximation and grid-quadrat methods, alongside automated Brokaw's classification system. Developed using modern web technologies, the PWA features robust offline functionality, low resource demands (e.g., 1.2 s initial load time, 2.4 MB offline cache, minimal battery impact), and full cross-platform compatibility. The Progressive Web App (PWA) is available at the following URL: https://gap-dynamics-app.onrender.comField validation in Korup National Park (n=303 gaps) confirmed high agreement between methods (Pearson r=0.997, explaining 99.4% of variance; mean bias -17 units, 95% limits of agreement -24 to -10 units), with the ellipse method showing an 11.7% systematic underestimation suitable for calibration or complementary use. Compared to paper-based approaches, the digital app achieved a 47% reduction in time per gap (from 8.4 to 4.5 minutes), complete elimination of transcription errors, data loss, and classification errors, and immediate data availability. User acceptance was very high (mean ratings 4.6-5.0/5), with qualitative feedback emphasizing efficiency, reliability, and data quality. The open-architecture design facilitates adaptation to diverse ecosystems, while the PWA framework ensures accessibility without installation barriers. This tool represents a significant advancement in digital forestry, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and reliability in tropical forest research.
VL  - 7
IS  - 1
ER  -

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