Mapping functional diversity from remotely sensed morphological and physiological forest traits

Fabian D. Schneider (), Felix Morsdorf, Bernhard Schmid, Owen L. Petchey, Andreas Hueni, David S. Schimel and Michael E. Schaepman
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Fabian D. Schneider: University of Zurich
Felix Morsdorf: University of Zurich
Bernhard Schmid: University of Zurich
Owen L. Petchey: University of Zurich
Andreas Hueni: University of Zurich
David S. Schimel: California Institute of Technology
Michael E. Schaepman: University of Zurich

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Assessing functional diversity from space can help predict productivity and stability of forest ecosystems at global scale using biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships. We present a new spatially continuous method to map regional patterns of tree functional diversity using combined laser scanning and imaging spectroscopy. The method does not require prior taxonomic information and integrates variation in plant functional traits between and within plant species. We compare our method with leaf-level field measurements and species-level plot inventory data and find reasonable agreement. Morphological and physiological diversity show consistent change with topography and soil, with low functional richness at a mountain ridge under specific environmental conditions. Overall, functional richness follows a logarithmic increase with area, whereas divergence and evenness are scale invariant. By mapping diversity at scales of individual trees to whole communities we demonstrate the potential of assessing functional diversity from space, providing a pathway only limited by technological advances and not by methodology.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01530-3

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