Abstract
AbstractLarge trees are important to a wide variety of wildlife, including many species of conservation concern, such as the California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis). Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) has been successfully utilized to identify the density of large‐diameter trees, either by segmenting the LiDAR point cloud into individual trees, or by building regression models between variables extracted from the LiDAR point cloud and field data. Neither of these methods is easily accessible for most land managers due to the reliance on specialized software, and much available LiDAR data are being underutilized due to the steep learning curve required for advanced processing using these programs. This study derived a simple, yet effective method for estimating the density of large‐stemmed trees from the LiDAR canopy height model, a standard raster product derived from the LiDAR point cloud that is often delivered with the LiDAR and is easy to process by personnel trained in geographic information systems (GIS). Ground plots needed to be large (1 ha) to build a robust model, but the spatial accuracy of plot center was less crucial to model accuracy. We also showed that predicted large tree density is positively linked to California spotted owl nest sites.
Highlights
Large trees are critical components of many temperate forest ecosystems (Franklin et al 2002, Lutz et al 2012)
Eq 1 shows the best single regression linear model, where the independent variable was the percentage of the plot area where the canopy height model (CHM) was over 32 m (CHM32)
Importance of plot size Of the three plot sizes evaluated, the 1-ha plot was the best predictor of large tree density, with a model adjusted R2 of 0.77 (Table 1)
Summary
Large trees are critical components of many temperate forest ecosystems (Franklin et al 2002, Lutz et al 2012). Large trees have features that directly provide habitat for wildlife (e.g., broken tops and cavities), in addition to indirectly providing habitat by contributing to greater complexity in forest structure. Both aspects of large trees have been shown to be important for wildlife species of conservation concern. CSO populations are declining in the Sierra Nevada, and they are currently under review for potential listing under the Endangered Species Act. information on the distribution and abundance of important large tree habitat elements and structurally complex forest stands is needed to inform assessment and development of
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