Using Lidar Data to Analyse Sinkhole Characteristics Relevant for Understory Vegetation under Forest Cover—Case Study of a High Karst Area in the Dinaric Mountains

摘要

In this article, we investigate the potential for detection and characterization of sinkholes\udunder dense forest cover by using airborne laser scanning data. Laser pulse returns from\udthe ground provide important data for the estimation of digital elevation model (DEM), which\udcan be used for further processing. The main objectives of this study were to map and determine\udthe geomorphometric characteristics of a large number of sinkholes and to investigate\udthe correlations between geomorphology and vegetation in areas with such characteristics.\udThe selected study area has very low anthropogenic influences and is particularly suitable\udfor studying undisturbed karst sinkholes. The information extracted from this study regarding\udthe shapes and depths of sinkholes show significant directionality for both orientation of\udsinkholes and their distribution over the area. Furthermore, significant differences in vegetation\uddiversity and composition occur inside and outside the sinkholes, which indicates their\udpresence has important ecological impacts.