Application of a light detection and ranging digital elevation model for defining and mapping lakeshore riparian areas

Abstract In this study, a Light Detection and Ranging-based Digital Elevation Model was developed to delineate and assess the extent of lakeshore riparian environments across the Southwest regions of British Columbia, Canada. The analysis revealed substantial variability in riparian zone area and extent across diverse physiographic settings, with elevation emerging as the primary driver of riparian extent. Low-elevation lake basins were found to support substantially larger riparian areas, often with extensive wetlands. In contrast, high-elevation lake basins exhibited more confined riparian zones due to steeper topography. A legislated fixed-width riparian reserve did not capture the spatial extent of most modelled lakeshore riparian environments. The results of this study highlight the significant value of high-resolution terrain mapping and modelling data for defining the true extent of lakeshore riparian environments and inform conservation planning strategies for small lake ecosystems. The inclusion of a transferable framework for estimating riparian extent based on modeled median riparian width, elevation and physiographic criteria distinguishes this study from previous LiDAR‑based riparian mapping studies by offering an approach to estimating the extent of lakeshore riparian environments to land managers without access to LiDAR or other high-resolution spatial mapping techniques.