Improving forest connectivity assessments using tree cover density maps

Abstract

Forests are vital for sustaining biodiversity and regulating climate. However, the fragmentation of these criticalecosystems poses a serious threat to their ecological integrity and the myriad of organisms they support. In thispaper we compare the degree of forest connectivity derived via the traditional approach of using a binary forestcover map with a new approach using a grayscale tree cover density map. Because connectivity is scaledependent,the comparison is repeated for a series of analysis scales. We find that exploiting the additionalinformation on tree cover density improves the precision of forest connectivity estimates. The degree of connectivitywas on average 21% lower when using the tree cover density map compared to using the binary forestcover map. Additional benefits of using tree cover density maps are the detection and quantification of subtletemporal changes (gains and losses) and a more refined assessment of hotspots in forest connectivity that cannotbe detected with binary maps. Improved assessment and monitoring capabilities can be instrumental toenhancing the design and assessing the efficacy of landscape management and restoration policies to improveforest connectivity. The generic conceptual approach is exemplified using the 2018 Copernicus Tree CoverDensity dataset with all assessment tools available in open-source software packages.

Citation

Vogt, Peter; Riitters, Kurt; Barredo, José I.; Costanza, Jennifer; Eckhardt, Bernd; Schleeweis, Karen. 2024. Improving forest connectivity assessments using tree cover density maps. Ecological Indicators. 159(14): 111695-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.111695.