Terrestrial inventories deliver excellent information to average characteristic variables and their changes. However, they only allow for limited statements regarding spatial variation. The methods of remote sensing are well suited to gain spatial information about patterns and processes in forests. Information about the vegetation (canopy) height and their variability allows disturbances on various levels to be determined. An attempt was made to model the spatial forest structure with stereo satellite data during the first inventory in 2010. However, it become clear that in the rugged terrain of the primeval beech forest and without a terrain model, this is only possible to limited extent. Due to this, researchers are trying out a new method during the next inventory. Active sensors like LiDAR are very well suited to calculate a precise terrain model in areas where dense vegetation is found next to the soil surface. Once a terrain model is available, it will be possible to model the surface of the forest with LiDAR, aerial photos or satellite images in the future and to quantify changes.
This data gap shall be closed in the context of the next inventory. The aerial survey in 2017 shall serve as the basis for a pre-stratification for surveys and the selection of the sample plots for the beech dominance sub-project.
2017 - 2020