LiDAR-Derived Riparian Ecotone Layers for Southern Quebec

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests produced vector layers of riparian ecotones starting in 2020. These layers delineate transition zones between aquatic and forest environments using a canopy height model and topographic humidity index derived from aerial LiDAR, integrated with southern Quebec's ecoforest map data. The methodology was developed in collaboration with Laval University's forest hydrology laboratory.

Use Cases

• Delineate forest buffer zones along watercourses using the riparian ecotone layer for regulatory planning.
• Validate and refine ecotone boundaries by comparing the LiDAR-derived canopy height model with field or photo-interpretation data.
• Analyze the relationship between potential water accumulation from the Topographic Humidity Index and identified ecotone areas.
• Identify areas where deforestation or agricultural fields adjacent to water bodies may lead to false ecotone classifications in the layer.

Strengths

• Data production initiated by a government forest inventory directorate, ensuring institutional authority.
• Integrates multiple data sources: aerial LiDAR, a canopy height model, a topographic humidity index, and an ecoforest map.
• Methodology developed in collaboration with an academic forest hydrology laboratory.

Limitations

• The layer contains some false ecotone classifications, such as deforested land along water bodies, requiring user validation.
• Data is specifically designed for forest management mandates and is not a legal wetland contour dataset.
• The automated translation of the metadata may introduce ambiguities in the technical description.

Provenance

Source

Forest Inventory Directorate of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF)

Collection Method

Produced using geomatic tools applied to aerial LiDAR-derived models (canopy height, topographic humidity) and ecoforest map data.

Time Range

Production began in 2020.

Freshness

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Geography

Southern Quebec, Canada.