Surface elevation data over Gabon, Africa, collected by the NASA Land, Vegetation, and Ice Sensor (LVIS) airborne lidar altimeter. The data set was produced by the NSIDC_CPRD organization as part of a collaborative NASA and European Space Agency AfriSAR campaign. The data was last updated in March 2016.
Use Cases
- Generate high-resolution digital terrain models (DTMs) from the geolocated surface elevation point cloud.
- Analyze forest canopy height and structure by processing the lidar-derived elevation measurements.
- Calibrate and validate satellite-derived elevation data, such as from GEDI or ICESat-2, using the precise airborne lidar data.
- Model hydrological flow and watershed characteristics in the Gabon region using the surface elevation data.
Strengths
- Data collected by the specialized NASA LVIS instrument, designed for precise vegetation and ice measurement.
- Provides targeted coverage over the Gabon region in Africa, supporting specific campaign science objectives.
- Produced through a collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency's AfriSAR mission.
Limitations
- The dataset's temporal coverage is limited to the specific AfriSAR campaign period, with no ongoing updates.
- Sample size, spatial extent, and point density within the coverage area are unspecified.
- Data is from 2016 and may not reflect current surface conditions due to land cover change.
Provenance
- Source
- NASA Land, Vegetation, and Ice Sensor (LVIS) airborne instrument, processed by NSIDC_CPRD.
- Collection Method
- Collected via airborne lidar scanning laser altimetry during the NASA AfriSAR campaign.
- Time Range
- Specific campaign dates unknown; data last updated in 2016.
- Freshness
- Last updated in March 2016; no stated update frequency.
- Geography
- Gabon, Africa.