NASA G-LiHT Lidar Bare Earth Elevation Models

G-LiHT Digital Terrain Model KML V001 provides LiDAR-derived bare earth elevation, aspect, and slope data at a nominal 1-meter spatial resolution. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center scientists began collecting this data over locally-defined areas in 2011, with ongoing collection from aerial campaigns. The dataset focuses on forest communities and ecoregions across North America.

Use Cases

• Analyze bare earth elevation to model watershed drainage patterns and flood risk.
• Calculate slope and aspect features for studying terrain influence on forest composition.
• Integrate elevation overlays with other geospatial layers for habitat suitability modeling.
• Use the 1-meter resolution terrain data for precision forestry and carbon stock estimation.

Strengths

• Data processed at a nominal 1-meter spatial resolution.
• Collection spans multiple regions including CONUS, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
• Includes derived terrain features like aspect and slope.

Limitations

• Data coverage is limited to locally-defined areas, not a continuous national map.
• Sample size and total row count are unknown.
• Temporal coverage specifics beyond the start year (2011) are unknown.

Provenance

Source

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center G-LiHT mission.

Collection Method

Data collected via portable airborne imaging system using LiDAR, hyperspectral, and thermal sensors.

Time Range

Collection began in 2011, ongoing.

Geography

Conterminous United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.