Tree Species Distribution Change Study in Mount Tai Based on Landsat Remote Sensing Image Data

A significant shift in tree species distribution at Mount Tai was identified over 16 years using advanced remote sensing techniques. The study revealed that while the dominance of pine species declined by 5.47%, black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) expanded notably, increasing its share from 10.15% to 13.75%. This expansion reflects broader ecological changes in the region's forest composition. Researchers employed Landsat multispectral remote sensing data from 2000 and 2016, processed on Google Earth Engine (GEE), alongside field surveys and topographic correction using an empirical rotation model. The random forest classifier achieved high accuracy in species classification, providing robust data for analysis. These findings underscore the importance of long-term monitoring in understanding and conserving biodiversity at UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Meng, Y., Cao, B., Mao, P., Dong, C., Cao, X., Qi, L., Wang, M., & Wu, Y. (2020). Tree Species Distribution Change Study in Mount Tai Based on Landsat Remote Sensing Image Data. Forests, 11(2), 130. https://doi.org/10.3390/f11020130