Three‐Dimensional Forest Stand Spatiotemporal Evolution Simulation Based on Multiple Environmental Factors

ABSTRACT Forests are crucial terrestrial ecosystems. To understand long‐term forest community evolution driven by multiple environmental factors, we constructed a 3D forest stand spatiotemporal evolution framework featuring synchronous bidirectional coupling between terrain, hydrology, radiation, and vegetation. First, we simulated topographical evolution using a physics‐based procedural erosion method and introduced a multi‐layer soil moisture model and individual tree growth response mechanisms to reflect‐topography interactions, thereby establishing a realistic environmental basis for forest stand evolution. Second, leveraging real environmental data, we simulated growth responses and biomass changes of forest stands under different precipitation and radiation conditions, elucidated response mechanisms of individual tree attributes to environmental changes, and achieved intuitive evolution of 3D forest stands. The framework advances beyond unidirectional environmental forcing models by integrating hydraulic erosion, soil moisture dynamics, and slope‐aware radiation within a unified monthly timestep, enabling co‐evolutionary simulation of forest stands under dynamic landscapes. Finally, the computer‐based model incorporated natural disaster events such as fires and droughts, with real‐time interaction and visualization capabilities, supporting immersive and responsive forest landscape simulation and detailed spatiotemporal evolution analysis, enabling assessment of the dynamic recovery processes of forest stands under multiple disturbance scenarios.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds
Published
2026-06-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/cav.70104
Primary Topic
Tree Root and Stability Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Three‐Dimensional Forest Stand Spatiotemporal Evolution Simulation Based on Multiple Environmental Factors

R X Zhang, Xiaoying Nie, Qingkuo Meng, Yongjian Huai
Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds
Tree Root and Stability Studies
article

Three‐Dimensional Forest Stand Spatiotemporal Evolution Simulation Based on Multiple Environmental Factors

R X Zhang, Xiaoying Nie, Qingkuo Meng, Yongjian Huai
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Forests are crucial terrestrial ecosystems. To understand long‐term forest community evolution driven by multiple environmental factors, we constructed a 3D forest stand spatiotemporal evolution framework featuring synchronous bidirectional coupling between terrain, hydrology, radiation, and vegetation. First, we simulated topographical evolution using a physics‐based procedural erosion method and introduced a multi‐layer soil moisture model and individual tree growth response mechanisms to reflect‐topography interactions, thereby establishing a realistic environmental basis for forest stand evolution. Second, leveraging real environmental data, we simulated growth responses and biomass changes of forest stands under different precipitation and radiation conditions, elucidated response mechanisms of individual tree attributes to environmental changes, and achieved intuitive evolution of 3D forest stands. The framework advances beyond unidirectional environmental forcing models by integrating hydraulic erosion, soil moisture dynamics, and slope‐aware radiation within a unified monthly timestep, enabling co‐evolutionary simulation of forest stands under dynamic landscapes. Finally, the computer‐based model incorporated natural disaster events such as fires and droughts, with real‐time interaction and visualization capabilities, supporting immersive and responsive forest landscape simulation and detailed spatiotemporal evolution analysis, enabling assessment of the dynamic recovery processes of forest stands under multiple disturbance scenarios.

Computer Animation and Virtual WorldsVol. 37(4)
Beijing Forestry University (CN)
Climate action
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Tree Root and Stability Studies
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.