Detecting successional changes in tropical forest structure using GatorEye drone‐borne lidar

• DOI: 10.1111/btp.12814
• Publication Date: 2020-07-30T12:55:06Z
• Authors: Danilo Roberti Al...; Angelica Maria Al...; Eben North Broadbent; Amanda L. Wendt; Paul Foster; Benjamin E. Wilki...; Carl Salk; Daniel de Almeida...; Scott Christopher...; Ruben Valbuena; Eric Bastos Gorgens; Carlos Alberto Silva; Pedro Henrique Sa...; Matthew Fagan; Paula Meli; Robin Chazdon
• Keywords: Understory; Spatial heterogeneity; Tree canopy

Abstract Drone‐based remote sensing is a promising new technology that combines the benefits of ground‐based and satellite‐derived forest monitoring by collecting fine‐scale data over relatively large areas in cost‐effective manner. Here, we explore potential GatorEye drone‐lidar system to monitor tropical succession canopy structural attributes including height, spatial heterogeneity, gap fraction, leaf area density (LAD) vertical distribution, Shannon index (an LAD), (LAI), understory LAI. We focus on these variables’ relationship aboveground biomass (AGB) stocks species diversity. In Caribbean lowlands northeastern Costa Rica, analyze nine forests stands (seven second‐growth two old‐growth). Stands were homogenous terms height but not their fraction. Neither nor tree community diversity was significantly correlated with index. Canopy LAI, AGB did show clear pattern as function age. However, fraction heterogeneity increased age, whereas LAI decreased strongly AGB. The heterogeneous mosaic created successional patches across human‐managed landscapes can now be better characterized. Drone‐lidar systems offer opportunity improve assessment recovery develop general mechanistic carbon sequestration models rapidly deployed specific sites, an essential step for progress within UN Decade Ecosystem Restoration.