@article{fdi:010085192,
  title = {{M}apping tree mortality rate in a tropical moist forest using multi-temporal {L}i{DAR}},
  author = {{H}uertas, {C}. and {S}abatier, {D}aniel and {D}erroire, {G}. and {F}erry, {B}. and {J}ackson, {T}. {D}. and {P}{\'e}lissier, {R}apha{\¨e}l and {V}incent, {G}r{\'e}goire},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground and aims: {S}everal studies have shown an increase in tree mortality in intact tropical forests in recent decades. {H}owever, most studies are based on networks of field plots whose representativeness is debated. {W}e examine the potential of repeated {A}irborne {L}i{DAR} {S}canning data to map forest structure change over large areas with high spatial resolution and to detect tree mortality patterns at landscape level. {M}ethods: {T}he study site is a complex forested landscape in {F}rench {G}uiana with varied topographic positions, vegetation structures and disturbance history. {W}e computed a {G}ap {D}ynamics {I}ndex from {C}anopy {H}eight {M}odels derived from successive {L}i{DAR} data sets (2009, 2015 and 2019) that we compared to field-measured mortality rates (in stem number and basal area loss) obtained from regular monitoring of 74 1.56-ha permanent plots. {R}esults: {A}t the plot level, the relation between gap dynamics and absolute basal area loss rate (combining fallen and standing dead trees) was overall highly significant ({R}2 = 0.60) and especially tight for the 59 ha of unlogged forest ({R}2 = 0.72). {B}asal area loss rate was better predicted from gap dynamics than stem loss rate. {I}n particular, in previously logged plots, intense self-thinning of small stems did not translate into detectable gaps, leading to poor predictability of stem mortality by {L}i{DAR} in those forests severely disturbed 30 years before. {A}t the landscape scale, {L}i{DAR} data revealed spatial patterns of gap creation that persisted over the successive analysis periods. {T}hose spatial patterns were related to local topography and canopy height. {H}igh canopy forests and bottomlands were more dynamic, with a higher fraction of canopy affected by gaps per unit time indicating higher basal area loss rates. {C}onclusion: {G}ap detection and mapping via multitemporal {L}i{DAR} data is poised to become instrumental in characterizing landscape-scale forest response to current global change. {M}eaningful comparison of gap dynamics across time and space will, however, depend on consistent {L}i{DAR} acquisitions characteristics.},
  keywords = {{M}ortality ; {G}ap dynamics index ; {B}asal area loss ; {S}tem loss ; {L}i{DAR} ; {T}ropical forest ; {GUYANE} {FRANCAISE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{I}nternational {J}ournal of {A}pplied {E}arth {O}bservation and {G}eoinformation},
  volume = {109},
  numero = {},
  pages = {102780 [ p.]},
  ISSN = {1569-8432},
  year = {2022},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.jag.2022.102780},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010085192},
}