The ForestPaths European tree genus map is now available as an open, early-access dataset. This map is the first to show the dominant tree genus across Europe at 10 m resolution and provides valuable information to complement existing land cover maps. It is developed by VITO, in collaboration with TUM, two research partners in the ForestPaths project. 

Wall-to-wall information on tree genus or species distributions at high spatial resolution is important to assess biodiversity and forest composition. Additionally, these maps can be used for initialising forest simulation models to support climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as a better understanding of ongoing change due to harvest or natural disturbance. In many countries, field-based forest inventories are a highly valuable source of information on forest composition, enabling assessments at regional or national scale. Nevertheless, the coverage of the in-situ data is often limited to a set of samples and does not provide spatially explicit, wall-to-wall information on forest composition. 

By combining Earth Observation (EO) data and machine learning models, high-resolution maps of forest composition can be created to address such challenges. These maps will support the effective monitoring and modelling of European forests and inform forest-related policies.  

The prototype machine learning model of forest composition uses Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite data alongside localising features and was trained on a combination of national and regional plot inventories, citizen science observations, orthophoto interpretation and LUCAS data.  

Besides the tree genus map, forest structure variables were mapped across Europe, including canopy height, canopy cover and foliage height diversity (FHD). The latter is a canopy structural index, describing the vertical heterogeneity of foliage profile. These maps will become available at a later stage.  

If you work on forest ecology, EO or climate modelling, feel free to share your feedback, validation results nor additional reference data to help us improve future versions. 

ForestPaths will use this data to develop policy pathways aimed at optimising forest management and enhancing the role of forests in climate change mitigation.  

Other relevant maps can be found in the “Maps” section of the ForestPaths website.