Tracking tree demography and forest dynamics at scale using remote sensing.

ABSTRACT: Capturing how tree growth and survival vary through space and time is critical to understanding the structure and dynamics of tree-dominated ecosystems. However, characterising demographic processes at scale is inherently challenging, as trees are slow-growing, long-lived and cover vast expanses of land. We used repeat airborne laser scanning data acquired across 25 km² of semi-arid, old-growth temperate woodland in Western Australia to track the height growth, crown expansion and mortality of 42 213 individual trees over 9 yr. We found that demographic rates are constrained by a combination of tree size, competition and topography. After initially investing in height growth, trees progressively shifted to crown expansion as they grew larger, while mortality risk decreased consi

SUBMITTER: Battison R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11579445 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature