PixSim: Enhancing high-resolution large-scale forest simulations

• Published in: Software impacts Vol. 21; p. 100695
• Main Authors: Cattaneo, Nicolas, Astrup, Rasmus, Antón-Fernández, Clara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Forest simulation; Open-source software; Pixel-level analysis; Precision forestry; Remote sensing; Forest simulation; Open-source software; Remote sensing; Precision forestry; Pixel-level analysis
• ISSN: 2665-9638; 2665-9638
• DOI: 10.1016/j.simpa.2024.100695

PixSim is a flexible, open-source forest growth simulator designed to operate at the pixel level of high-resolution, wall-to-wall forest resource maps generated through remote sensing approaches. PixSim addresses the need to adapt forest growth simulators to the data produced by modern remote sensing-based forest inventories, rather than relying on stand-level averages from traditional field-based inventories. By operating at the pixel level, PixSim captures intra-stand variability in high-resolution forest resource maps, which is often overlooked by stand-level simulators. This capability aligns with the current focus on precision forestry, aimed at improving management decisions with localized data and small-scale management. Implemented in the R programming language, PixSim features minimal package dependencies, provides flexibility and scalability, and has been optimized for high-resolution, large-scale simulations, ensuring efficient computation. The simulator’s flexibility and open-source nature support the incorporation of management modules and the inclusion of climate change scenarios in simulations. •PixSim forest simulator captures intra-stand variability with pixel-level simulations.•Adapts to modern remote sensing-based forest inventories.•Flexible, open-source tool implemented in R.