Webinar: Using LiDAR to map habitat for at-risk bird species

Identifying and protecting habitat for species at risk is an essential part of responsible forest planning. In this session of Webinar Wednesdays, presenters shared the results of a collaborative project focused on improving how at-risk bird habitat is identified and considered across forested landscapes in Cape Breton.

Led by Port Hawkesbury Paper in partnership with Dalhousie University and the Applied Geomatics Research Group at NSCC, the project developed detailed habitat models for six bird species at risk in Nova Scotia. Using high-resolution LiDAR data and forest inventory information, the team generated more than 70 vegetation and terrain metrics to describe forest structure, then combined these data with species observations and field validation to predict where suitable habitat is most likely to occur.

The session highlighted how the resulting map-based tools can be applied in forest planning to better identify sensitive habitats, support regulatory and certification requirements, and strengthen stewardship for species at risk.

As expectations for sustainable forest management continue to evolve, tools that integrate ecological data into operational planning are becoming increasingly valuable.

Watch the full webinar recording above to explore the research and practical applications discussed in this session.