Mapping forests with different levels of naturalness using machine learning and landscape data mining - GRASS GIS DB

The GRASS GIS database containing the input raster layers needed to reproduce the results from the manuscript entitled:

"Mapping forests with different levels of naturalness using machine learning and landscape data mining" (under review)

Abstract:

To conserve biodiversity, it is imperative to maintain and restore sufficient amounts of functional habitat networks. Hence, locating remaining forests with natural structures and processes over landscapes and large regions is a key task. We integrated machine learning (Random Forest) and wall-to-wall open landscape data to scan all forest landscapes in Sweden with a 1 ha spatial resolution with respect to the relative likelihood of hosting High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF). Using independent spatial stand- and plot-level validation data we confirmed that our predictions (ROC AUC in the range of 0.89 - 0.90) correctly represent forests with different levels of naturalness, from deteriorated to those with high and associated biodiversity conservation values. Given ambitious national and international conservation objectives, and increasingly intensive forestry, our model and the resulting wall-to-wall mapping fills an urgent gap for assessing fulfilment of evidence-based conservation targets, spatial planning, and designing forest landscape restoration.

This database was compiled from the following sources:

1. HCVF. A database of High Conservation Value Forests in Sweden. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

source: https://geodata.naturvardsverket.se/nedladdning/skogliga_vardekarnor_2016.zip

2. NMD. National Land Cover Data. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

source: https://www.naturvardsverket.se/en/services-and-permits/maps-and-map-services/national-land-cover-database/

3. DEM. Terrain Model Download, grid 50+. Lantmateriet, Swedish Ministry of Finance.

source: https://www.lantmateriet.se/en/geodata/geodata-products/product-list/terrain-model-download-grid-50/

4. GFC. Global Forest Change. Global Land Analysis and Discovery, University of Maryland.

source: https://glad.earthengine.app

5. LIGHTS. A harmonized global nighttime light dataset 1992–2018. Land pollution with night-time lights expressed as calibrated digital numbers (DN).

source: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.9828827.v2

6. POPULATION. Total Population in Sweden. Statistics Sweden.

source: https://www.scb.se/en/services/open-data-api/open-geodata/grid-statistics/

To learn more about the GRASS GIS database structure, see:

https://grass.osgeo.org/grass82/manuals/grass_database.html