Simplifying complexity: the reliability of lidar-derived forest structural complexity metrics for conservation management

In 32 single-species forest plots in Cairngorms National Park, Scotland, nine of 21 lidar-derived FSC metrics had unstable rankings across 0.02–1.5 m resolution, making ecological conclusions resolution-sensitive.

• Why it matters: Forest structural complexity is used to guide restoration and conservation, but uncertainty about how lidar metric resolution affects FSC estimates limits reliable monitoring and interpretation of management targets.
• What they did: Using terrestrial laser scanning data, the study computed 21 FSC metrics and tested how each metric ranked four structural categories (AW, OPM, OP, NR) across a resolution gradient from 0.02 to 1.5 m.
• The result: Stable metrics discriminated well when categories had obvious structural differences, but not when differences were subtle, especially between OP and OPM; AW was intermediate and not consistently highest.