Global Forest Canopy Height and Elevation Metrics from Spaceborne Lidar

156 data layers per beam provide ground elevation, canopy top height, and relative height metrics from the GEDI instrument on the International Space Station. The mission collects data globally between 51.6° N and 51.6° S latitudes with a 25-meter spatial resolution. Data acquisition was suspended from March 2023 to April 2024 before operations resumed.

Use Cases

• Estimate aboveground biomass by correlating canopy top height and relative height metrics with field measurements.
• Map global forest vertical structure using the relative return energy metrics across eight laser beams.
• Model terrain and ground elevation changes by analyzing the ground elevation layer from lidar waveforms.
• Monitor changes in canopy cover over time by comparing relative height metrics from different acquisition dates.

Strengths

• 156 interpreted data layers per beam for detailed vertical structure analysis.
• Global coverage between 51.6° N and 51.6° S latitudes from the International Space Station.
• High-resolution lidar sampling with an average footprint of 25 meters.

Limitations

• Data acquisition has known gaps, including a 15-month hibernation period from March 2023 to April 2024.
• Spatial coverage is limited to latitudes between 51.6° N and 51.6° S, excluding polar regions.
• Some files from specific dates in 2020 and 2021 contain incorrect Reference Ground Track numbers in filenames.

Provenance

Source

Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) mission, NASA.

Collection Method

Data collected by a light detection and ranging (lidar) instrument attached to the International Space Station, processed using an algorithm adapted from the Land, Vegetation, and Ice Sensor (LVIS).

Time Range

Data collection began in 2019, with a hibernation period from March 17, 2023, to April 24, 2024; operations resumed April 26, 2024.

Freshness

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Geography

Global coverage between 51.6° N and 51.6° S latitudes.