New 3D Maps Reveal Millions of Young Trees Growing in Scotland's Cairngorms
Researchers used laser scans from an airplane to map millions of new trees growing naturally in the Scottish Highlands. The technique helps scientists track large-scale nature recovery and woodland expansion.
In short: Researchers used laser scans from an airplane to map millions of new trees growing naturally in the Scottish Highlands. The technique helps scientists track large-scale nature recovery and woodland expansion.
Imagine trying to count millions of newly sprouted trees spread across vast hills and valleys without missing a single one, and you will understand the tricky task facing conservationists.
What happened, in plain words
A team led by the University of Cambridge used a technology called airborne LiDAR, which shoots laser beams from a light aircraft, to study a massive area in Scotland's Cairngorms National Park. Combined with artificial intelligence, this method mapped over six million individual trees and recorded their exact heights across a large survey area. The results document a success story for the Cairngorms Connect partnership, showing that millions of young trees are naturally establishing following an increase in deer culling and reduced deer browsing.
Key points
- Detailed 3D mapping at scale: Flying in a light aircraft 600 meters above the ground, researchers used laser scanning technology to reveal over six million individual trees across a 569 square kilometer survey area.
- Millions of small trees: The results show that 2.65 million trees were under five meters tall, with many growing near existing forest edges and some appearing over half a kilometer away.
- Habitat types influence growth: Fewer new trees managed to establish in boggy areas compared to dry heathlands, showing that the specific type of habitat matters for natural tree regeneration.
- A partnership for restoration: The study assessed land within the Cairngorms Connect partnership, which brings together organizations like RSPB Scotland and Forestry and Land Scotland to manage deer and restore native woodlands.
Terms explained
- LiDAR — A remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure distances and build three-dimensional shapes and maps of objects and environments. Example: A self-driving car uses laser pulses to measure how far away pedestrians and other vehicles are.
- Natural regeneration — The process where plants and trees grow back naturally from seeds dropped by existing plants, without people having to manually plant them. Example: Wildflowers sprouting up in an un-mowed garden corner because the wind blew seeds there.
- AI foundation model — A large computer system trained on vast amounts of data that can recognize patterns and help users analyze new information. Example: A smart translation program that has read millions of sentences to learn how different languages connect.
Why it matters
Accurate maps help conservationists track whether restoration targets are being met and inform future woodland work. More forested land also supports threatened species like red squirrels and capercaillie, while helping remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
What we still don't know
The source notes that airborne LiDAR has only previously been piloted for young-tree mapping, and tracking future woodland expansion relies on ongoing efforts that align with broader government strategies.
Based on reporting from University of Cambridge. This is an independent explainer, written in our own words with AI assistance; University of Cambridge has not reviewed or endorsed it. Read the original for the full details.