Tapajos Forest Tree Inventory with LiDAR Plot Data

Thirty forest plots in Brazil's Tapajos National Forest provide tree inventory, height, diameter, and crown measurements from September 2010. NASA collected this data to calibrate and validate GLAS LiDAR sensor readings across primary, selectively logged, and secondary forest areas. The dataset captures a wide range of forest vertical structure and aboveground biomass conditions.

Use Cases

• Calibrating satellite LiDAR biomass estimates using ground-measured tree height and DBH.
• Analyzing forest structure differences between primary, logged, and secondary forest stands.
• Studying crown architecture and its relationship to tree diameter and forest disturbance history.
• Validating remote sensing models of aboveground biomass with field plot inventory data.

Strengths

• Data includes 30 distinct field plots, providing a substantial sample for analysis.
• Measurements span primary forest, forests logged between 1999-2003, and secondary forests of varying ages, enabling comparative studies.
• Plots are co-located with GLAS LiDAR footprints, enabling direct sensor calibration and validation.

Limitations

• Key column names and the exact row count are not provided by any source, limiting immediate analytical utility.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date, with one listing 2010 and another listing a future date of 2026, casting doubt on metadata accuracy.
• The specific license terms under 'other-license-specified' are not detailed, requiring further investigation for reuse.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Ground-based tree inventory and biometry measurements collected within plots centered on GLAS LiDAR instrument footprints.

Time Range

2010-09

Freshness

2026-03-12 20:59:32.374904

Geography

Tapajos National Forest, Para, Brazil