LiDAR Applications
NASA’s mission in Earth Sciences includes assessment of the effects of phenomena such as global warming and ozone depletion. Direct observation of vegetation—including forest structure, biomass disturbance, and recovery—is an important technique used in these assessments. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is an optical remote-sensing technology that measures properties of scattered light to gather information about a distant target. The task at hand is to develop LiDAR for use as an observation tool in this mission, including:
- Evaluating the utility of multi-return LiDAR in measuring forest structure and biomass disturbance and recovery.
- Developing visualization software for LiDAR data for vegetation applications.
- Developing LiDAR data storage/processing capabilities through web-based technology.
- Designing training and outreach for LiDAR-related applications and technology.
- Developing algorithms to characterize forest/ecosystem structure from LiDAR data.
- Developing web-based LiDAR downloads (software, publications, and data) to allow NASA and the USDA forest service to make use of this capability.
- Dissemination of research findings through seminars, peer-reviewed journals, and participation in scientific meetings and workshops on LiDAR-related technology.
