Multiscale Very High Resolution Topographic Models in Alpine Ecology: Pros and Cons of Airborne LiDAR and Drone-Based Stereo-Photogrammetry Technologies

The vulnerability of alpine environments to climate change presses an urgent need accurately model and understand these ecosystems. Popularity in the use digital elevation models (DEMs) derive proxy environmental variables has increased over past decade, particularly as DEMs are relatively cheaply acquired at very high resolutions (VHR; <1 m spatial resolution). Here, we implement a multiscale framework compare DEM-derived produced by Light Detection Ranging (LiDAR) stereo-photogrammetry (PHOTO) methods, with aim assessing their relevance utility species distribution modelling (SDM). Using case study on arctic-alpine plant, Arabis alpina, two valleys western Swiss Alps, show that both LiDAR PHOTO technologies can be relevant for producing SDMs. We demonstrate DEMs, up resolution least 1 m, rivalled accuracy largely owing customizability sites compared commercially available DEMs. obtained 6.25 cm–8 50 cm–32 LiDAR, where determined optimal SDM were between 32 depending variable site characteristics. found reduced extent altered calculations all derived variables, which had particular consequences heterogenous terrain. However, homogenous site, SDMs based PHOTO-derived generally higher predictive powers than those from matching resolutions. From our results, recommend carefully considering required DEM produce variables. also advocate implementing appropriately assess ecological caution against VHR-DEMs finer cm such studies.