Using ecological forest site mapping for long-term habitat suitability assessments in wildlife conservation—Demonstrated for capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)

Braunisch, Veronika; Suchant, Rudi

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2008.06.027

Cited by 24 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Our method involves several steps: (1) the derivation of a CHM from stereo aerial imagery; (2) the quantification of canopy cover and height for pre-stratification; (3) the mapping of forest gaps and their changes; (4) the detection of gaps in specific locations (i.e., on forest roads); (5) the evaluation of the mapping accuracy; and finally (6) the identification of the main sources of error. In addition to the main aim, the mapping of forest gaps, the intermediate processing steps deliver other important forest structure parameters such as canopy cover and forest height diversity that are frequently required as predictor variables for species-habitat studies in forest ecosystems [36,37].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Automated Detection of Forest Gaps in Spruce Dominated Stands Using Canopy Height Models Derived from Stereo Aerial Imagery

et al. 2016

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Forest gaps are important structural elements in forest ecology to which various conservation-relevant, photophilic species are associated. To automatically map forest gaps and detect their changes over time, we developed a method based on Digital Surface Models (DSM) derived from stereoscopic aerial imagery and a LiDAR-based Digital Elevation Model (LiDAR DEM). Gaps were detected and delineated in relation to height and cover of the surrounding forest comparing data from two public flight campaigns (2009 and 2012) in a 1023-ha model region in the Northern Black Forest, Southwest Germany. The method was evaluated using an independent validation dataset obtained by visual stereo-interpretation. Gaps were automatically detected with an overall accuracy of 0.90 (2009) and 0.82 (2012). However, a very high users' accuracy of more than 0.95 (both years) was counterbalanced by a producer's accuracy of 0.84 (2009) and 0.73 (2012) as some gaps were not automatically detected. Accuracy was mainly dependent on the shadow occurrence and height of the surrounding forest with producer's accuracies dropping to 0.70 (2009) and 0.52 (2012) in high stands (>8 m tree height). As one important step in the workflow, the class of open forest, an important feature for many forest species, was delineated with a very good overall accuracy of 0.92 (both years) with uncertainties occurring mostly in areas with intermediate canopy cover. Presence of complete or partial shadow and geometric limitations of stereo image matching were identified as the main sources of errors in the method performance, suggesting that images with a higher overlap and resolution and ameliorated image-matching algorithms provide the greatest potential for improvement.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Automated Detection of Forest Gaps in Spruce Dominated Stands Using Canopy Height Models Derived from Stereo Aerial Imagery

et al. 2016

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“…To ensure the long-term survival of capercaillie populations in the Carpathians, it is necessary to conduct further assessments of the suitability of existing capercaillie habitats (e.g. create a habitat suitability model) and identify the optimal extent of suitable habitat and its connectivity (Braunisch and Suchant, 2008). The habitat suitability model should be adapted regionally, because species -habitat relationships may differ between regions, due to different site conditions, vegetation types, and successional processes , as exemplified by differences in capercaillie habitat use in Norway and central Europe.…”

Section: Conclusion and Implications For Forest Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating forest management intensity on an umbrella species: Capercaillie persistence in central Europe

Mikoláš

Svitok

Tejkal

et al. 2015

Forest Ecology and Management

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“…The variables were then aggregated into a soil condition index using an expert model (Braunisch & Suchant 2008). …”

Section: Appendix Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Underpinning the precautionary principle with evidence: A spatial concept for guiding wind power development in endangered species’ habitats

Braunisch

Coppes²,

Bächle³

et al. 2015

Journal for Nature Conservation

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1The precautionary principle is an essential guideline in decision making, particularly for 2 regulating novel developments with unknown or insufficiently proven environmental impact. 3However, due to the inherent component of uncertainty it has been widely critized for being 4 "unscientific", i.e. hindering progress without sufficient evidence. The consequential 5 postulation, that precautionary measures are only justified if the addressed threats are 6 plausible and the measures reasonable, calls for methods to guide action in the face of 7 uncertainty. Using the example of species conservation versus wind-farm construction, an 8 expanding development with hypothesized -but unexplored -effects on our model species the 9 capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), we present an approach that aims at compensating the lack of 10 knowledge about the threat itself by making best use of the available knowledge about the 11 object at risk. By systematically combining information drawn from population monitoring 12 and spatial modelling with population ecological thresholds, we identified areas of different 13 functionality and importance to metapopulation persistence and connectivity. We integrated 14 this information into a spatial concept defining four area-categories with different 15 implications for wind power development. Highest priority was assigned to areas covering the 16 spatial and functional requirements of a minimum viable population, i.e. sites where the 17 plausibility for threat is highest, the uncertainty as regards importance for the population is 18 lowest, and thus the justification for precautionary measures is strongest. This gradated 19 approach may also enhance public acceptance, as it attempts to avoid either error-20 minimization bias (i.e. being too restrictive or permissive) the precautionary principle is 21 frequently criticized for. 22 250 words 23

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Using ecological forest site mapping for long-term habitat suitability assessments in wildlife conservation—Demonstrated for capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)

Cited by 24 publications

References 44 publications

Automated Detection of Forest Gaps in Spruce Dominated Stands Using Canopy Height Models Derived from Stereo Aerial Imagery

Automated Detection of Forest Gaps in Spruce Dominated Stands Using Canopy Height Models Derived from Stereo Aerial Imagery

Evaluating forest management intensity on an umbrella species: Capercaillie persistence in central Europe

Underpinning the precautionary principle with evidence: A spatial concept for guiding wind power development in endangered species’ habitats

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