Role of data uncertainty when identifying important areas for biodiversity and carbon in boreal forests

• DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01908-2
• Publication Date: 2023-09-01T14:02:35Z
• Authors: Heini Kujala; Francesco Minunno; Virpi Junttila; Ninni Mikkonen; Annikki Mäkelä; Raimo Virkkala; Anu Akujärvi; Niko Leikola; Risto K. Heikkinen
• Keywords: Conservation Biology

Forest conservation plays a central role in meeting national and international biodiversity climate targets. Biodiversity carbon values within forests are often estimated with models, introducing uncertainty to decision making on which forest stands protect. Here, we explore how uncertainties variable estimates affect modelled patterns, this turn introduces variability the selection of new protected areas. We find that both patterns were sensitive alterations attributes. Uncertainty features rare and/or had dissimilar distributions other introduced most variation plans. The critical data also depended what fraction landscape was being protected. Forests highest value more robust than lesser value. Identifying sources model helps effectively reduce errors decisions.