Abstract

LiDAR Derived Forest Metrics for Forest Restoration Prioritization
Track: Forestry and Wildlife Management
Authors: Daryl Van Dyke

With the acquisition of LiDAR for the Mill Creek component of Redwood National & State Parks, the opportunity arose to determine relative stand conditions in a manner more cost-effective than a traditional cruise. These metrics quantify tree density, basal area ,quadratic mean diameter, and other forest metrics by developing regression equations based on known forest conditions found on surveyed plots. After the first round of calibration, preliminary models specific to both the forest conditions. Results indicate that the LiDAR analysis is an effective means of identifying stands in jeopardy of slowing growth rates, declining health, and possible mortality without achieving late-seral conditions or optimal slope stabilization. This evaluation develops a treatment prioritization to reduce stand densities and improve habitat, slope, and stand stability. The longer term goal should be to treat most of the stands with the highest priority ranking in the next 5 to 10 years.