Estimating the conservation value of boreal forests using airborne laser scanning

In sustainable forest resource management, establishing conservation areas is important to maintain biodiversity. However, assessing the value of forests challenging because target are often both large and remote. We explored using dense airborne laser scanning (ALS) data estimate values. Field were collected at sites in Sweden for standing deadwood (S trees), laying (L trees considered particularly conserving biodiversity (N values determined a commonly employed method field. A template matching was then used detect L, S N from ALS data. L identified linear features point cloud above ground, with 52 % detection error rate. unusually small or crown diameters, 71 83 rates, respectively. also tested relationships between three types indicator tree, their summed field inventory-assessed Regressions assessed indicators most robust comparing test when number S, trees. wall-to-wall map covering 3 km × 4 area generated Kernel density estimation ALS-derived indicators, represent relative The validated 10 1-ha plots, yielded an R2 0.6 predicted plot level. conclude that can be inform decisions about which should timber production set aside as areas. maps could source habitat analysis.