Public LiDAR data are an important tool for the detection of saproxylic insect hotspots in Mediterranean forests and their connectivity

Rada, Patrik; Blanco, Ascensión Padilla; Horák, Jakub; Micó, Estefanía

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2022.120378

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…However, our results in modeling species diversity indices are consistent with other, similar studies showing moderate results with values between 0 and 0.34 [31]. These values can be explained considering that the study area, while sufficiently large, has low environmental variability [62], and vegetation variations resulting in stronger correlations between ALS predictors and taxa [33]. In this sense, increasing the number of sampling areas could improve the results.…”

Section: Relationship Between Als Data and Multi-taxon Biodiversitysupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Although extensive efforts have been directed towards the detection and monitoring of forest pests [30] and of the associated forest disturbances, the use of ALS data to study the ecology and conservation of forest organisms remains only partially explored [31]. Similarly, studies exploiting RS data are still relatively rare [32,33]. The main advantage of approaches based on ALS data is their capacity to provide high-resolution topography and forest structures at large spatial scales within statistically correct data (e.g., [34][35][36]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tree-Related Microhabitats and Multi-Taxon Biodiversity Quantification Exploiting ALS Data

Parisi,

D’Amico,

Vangi

et al. 2024

Forests

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The quantification of tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) and multi-taxon biodiversity is pivotal to the implementation of forest conservation policies, which are crucial under the current climate change scenarios. We assessed the capacity of Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data to quantify biodiversity indices related to both forest beetle and bird communities and TreMs, calculating the species richness and types of saproxylic and epixylic TreMs using the Shannon index. As biodiversity predictors, 240 ALS-derived metrics were calculated: 214 were point-cloud based, 14 were pixel-level from the canopy height model, and 12 were RGB spectral statistics. We used the random forests algorithm to predict species richness and the Shannon diversity index, using the field plot measures as dependent variables and the ALS-derived metrics as predictors for each taxon and TreMs type. The final models were used to produce wall-to-wall maps of biodiversity indices. The Shannon index produced the best performance for each group considered, with a mean difference of −6.7%. Likewise, the highest R2 was for the Shannon index (0.17, against 0.14 for richness). Our results confirm the importance of ALS data in assessing forest biodiversity indicators that are relevant for monitoring forest habitats. The proposed method supports the quantification and monitoring of the measures needed to implement better forest stands and multi-taxon biodiversity conservation.

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Section: Relationship Between Als Data and Multi-taxon Biodiversitysupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tree-Related Microhabitats and Multi-Taxon Biodiversity Quantification Exploiting ALS Data

Parisi,

D’Amico,

Vangi

et al. 2024

Forests

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“…A special form of the nDSM, the so‐called canopy height model (CHM), contains only the vegetation heights. As it is comparatively easy to obtain, metrics calculated from the CHM are the most commonly used variables in modelling species diversity and distribution (e.g., Bakx et al, 2019; Müller et al, 2010; Müller & Brandl, 2009; Rada et al, 2022); nevertheless, they only describe horizontal variation in canopy cover (Figure 1a). However, variables describing the vertical structure of vegetation are at least as important for the modelled species (Figure 1b).…”

Section: Role Of Vegetation Structure In the Distribution Of Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetation structure derived from airborne laser scanning to assess species distribution and habitat suitability: The way forward

Moudrý

Cord

Gábor

et al. 2022

Diversity and Distributions

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Ecosystem structure, especially vertical vegetation structure, is one of the six essential biodiversity variable classes and is an important aspect of habitat heterogeneity, affecting species distributions and diversity by providing shelter, foraging, and nesting sites. Point clouds from airborne laser scanning (ALS) can be used to derive such detailed information on vegetation structure. However, public agencies usually only provide digital elevation models, which do not provide information on vertical vegetation structure.Calculating vertical structure variables from ALS point clouds requires extensive data processing and remote sensing skills that most ecologists do not have. However, such information on vegetation structure is extremely valuable for many analyses of habitat use and species distribution. We here propose 10 variables that should be easily accessible to researchers and stakeholders through national data portals. In addition, we argue for a consistent selection of variables and their systematic testing, which would allow for continuous improvement of such a list to keep it up-to-date with the latest evidence. This initiative is particularly needed not only to advance ecological and biodiversity research by providing valuable open datasets but also to guide potential users in the face of increasing availability of global vegetation structure products.

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“…The existence of riparian forests is threatened by global climate change in Mediterranean areas as a consequence of more streams drying out [ 98 ]. Moreover, in Cabañeros National Park, saproxylic beetles’ dispersal possibilities in riparian forests are limited by rather low coverage and connectivity [ 99 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction Networks Help to Infer the Vulnerability of the Saproxylic Beetle Communities That Inhabit Tree Hollows in Mediterranean Forests

Quinto

Díaz‐Castelazo

Ramírez-Hernández

et al. 2023

Insects

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Insect communities are facing contrasting responses due to global change. However, knowledge on impacts of communities’ reorganizations is scarce. Network approaches could help to envision community changes in different environmental scenarios. Saproxylic beetles were selected to examine long-term variations in insect interaction/diversity patterns and their vulnerability to global change. We evaluated interannual differences in network patterns in the tree hollow–saproxylic beetle interaction using absolute samplings over an 11-year interval in three Mediterranean woodland types. We explored saproxylic communities’ vulnerability to microhabitat loss via simulated extinctions and by recreating threat scenarios based on decreasing microhabitat suitability. Although temporal diversity patterns varied between woodland types, network descriptors showed an interaction decline. The temporal beta-diversity of interactions depended more on interaction than on species turnover. Interaction and diversity temporal shifts promoted less specialized and more vulnerable networks, which is particularly worrisome in the riparian woodland. Network procedures evidenced that saproxylic communities are more vulnerable today than 11 years ago irrespective of whether species richness increased or decreased, and the situation could worsen in the future depending on tree hollow suitability. Network approaches were useful for predicting saproxylic communities’ vulnerability across temporal scenarios and, thus, for providing valuable information for management and conservation programs.

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Public LiDAR data are an important tool for the detection of saproxylic insect hotspots in Mediterranean forests and their connectivity

Cited by 6 publications

References 62 publications

Tree-Related Microhabitats and Multi-Taxon Biodiversity Quantification Exploiting ALS Data

Tree-Related Microhabitats and Multi-Taxon Biodiversity Quantification Exploiting ALS Data

Vegetation structure derived from airborne laser scanning to assess species distribution and habitat suitability: The way forward

Interaction Networks Help to Infer the Vulnerability of the Saproxylic Beetle Communities That Inhabit Tree Hollows in Mediterranean Forests

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