Assessing biodiversity using forest structure indicators based on airborne laser scanning data

• DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2023.121376
• Publication Date: 2023-09-01T16:43:20Z
• Authors: Janne Toivonen; Annika Kangas; Matti Maltamo; Mikko Kukkonen; Petteri Packalen
• Keywords: 580; 0106 biological sciences; 570; Airborne laser scanning; Biodiversity; Structural diversity; Dead wood; Forest structure; Fragmentation; 0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; Species diversity; Species richness

The role of forests in biodiversity assessment and planning is substantial as these ecosystems support approximately 80% the world's terrestrial biodiversity. Forests provide food, shelter, nesting environments for numerous species, deliver multiple ecosystem services. It has been widely recognised that forest vegetation structure its complexity influence local variations As are facing threats globally caused by human activities, there a need to map ecosystems. main objective this review was summarise use airborne laser scanning (ALS) data biodiversity-related forests. We draw attention topics related animal ecology, structural diversity, dead wood, fragmentation habitat classification. After conducting thorough literature search, we categorised scientific articles based on their topics, which served basis section division paper. majority research found be conducted Europe North America, only small fraction study areas located elsewhere. Topics have received most were ecology (namely richness diversity fauna), trees tree species measures. Not all studies used ALS only, it often fused with other remote sensing – especially aerial or satellite images. fusion spectral information from optical images provided highly advantageous where considered. Relevant variables case-specific, so varied between studies. lack geographical types than temperate boreal Also, considered functional community composition effect spatial resolution at field linked, covered much lesser extent.