Typically, we�d associated terms such as �lasers from space� with global destruction. However, the good folks at NASA have used three satellites and LIDAR laser technology to do something much more interesting � and with much more value for residents of Earth.
NASA scientists have used data collected by the ICESat, Terra and Aqua satellites to create a topographical map that shows the height of forests around the world, from the rain forests of the Amazon to the redwood and sequoia forests of Northern California. They say their efforts have produced a collection and visualization of data that is the first of its kind.
LIDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, uses laser pulses to determine the distance between given objects. It was used in this case to capture �vertical slices of surface features,� according to NASA. Over seven years, scientists collected data from 250 million laser pulses. This data on the Earth�s vertical profile was mashed up with other data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), which gathers information about radiation, cloud cover, changes in the oceans and atmosphere and much more.
Data from a fourth satellite could be added to this set later in the decade to make these maps more detailed. The current data set will help scientists study how much carbon our planet�s vegetation stores and how quickly the same carbon cycles back into Earth�s atmosphere.
According to NASA, we Earthlings are responsible for releasing about 7 billion tons of carbon each year, mostly as carbon dioxide. Of those emissions, 2 billion tons of carbon end up in the ocean and 3 billion tons are later found in the atmosphere. �It�s unclear where the last two billion tons of carbon go,� the NASA site reads, �though scientists suspect forests capture and store much of it as biomass through photosynthesis.�
Figuring out our forests� biomass starts with calculating tree height around the globe.
These maps can also help with scientists working on problems such as forest fires and species of animals indigenous to specific forests.
Here are some images of these maps so far (click for larger images):
What other uses can you image for NASA�s map of our world�s forests? What other kinds of data would you like to see them add to this set?
[img credit: exlibris]
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