Which metrics derived from airborne laser scanning are essential to measure the vertical profile of ecosystems?

• DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13760
• Publication Date: 2023-08-25T16:24:06Z
• Authors: W. Daniel Kissling; Yifang Shi
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 0303 health sciences; 550

Abstract In a recent perspective (Diversity and Distributions, 29, 39–50), ‘10 variables’ were proposed to measure vegetation structure from airborne laser scanning (ALS) for assessing species distributions habitat suitability. We worry about this list because the variables predominantly represent variation in height, vertical variability of biomass is insufficiently captured, cover are ill‐defined or not ecosystem agnostic. urge better defined, more comprehensive balanced list, which information ALS point clouds truly essential major dimensions 3D within across ecosystems animal habitats. think that currently ‘list 10 metrics’ premature researchers stakeholders should be cautious adopting list.