Identifying priority sites for insect conservation in forest ecosystems at high resolution: the potential of LiDAR data

Focusing conservation efforts on priority areas is crucial for maximizing the effects of the limited available resources. Unfortunately, there is often a conflict between the optimal spatial scale for conservation measures and data available for planning. We tested the potential contribution of LiDAR data in providing high-resolution environmental predictors for conservation planning. We used detailed samples of ground beetles communities and high-resolution environmental data (i.e. land morphology, forest structure, and water availability) for modeling the habitat suitability for each species. All the specific models were combined to define priority areas for the conservation of carabids at the local level and to clarify the effect of each environmental feature on the forest suitability for ground beetles. The highest levels of suitability were obtained in less steep and north facing zones and in those where trees are taller, total volume of trees is larger, and tree density is lower. These parameters should be taken into account in sustainable forest management options aimed to preserve carabid communities. Moreover, our approach allowed to find exactly where, within the considered forest stands, the adoption of these measures would be particularly efficient. Our study is a demonstrative case that can be adapted to different taxa and different areas for improving the efficacy of forest management and of biodiversity conservation initiatives.