Mapping Vegetation Vertical Structure and Bare-Earth Topography Using NASA’s Laser Vegetation Imaging Sensor

Principal Investigators:

Michelle Hofton, J. Bryan Blair (GSFC), David Rabine (SSAI)

NASA’s Laser Vegetation Imaging Sensor (LVIS) is a medium/high-altitude airborne scanning laser altimeter. The sensor generates true 3-dimensional volumetric maps of the surface of the Earth by utilizing a unique, waveform-based measurement scheme. In addition to volumetric maps of vegetated surfaces, precise and accurate images of topography and vegetation height are also produced.

Data have been collected in various biomes around the world, including Panama, Costa Rica, California, and the eastern US. These data have been used to demonstrate that the system accurately measures bare-Earth topography and canopy height, even in dense, closed (99%) forest.

Numerous studies have shown the efficacy of the data for downstream scientific uses including the estimation of above-ground biomass and forest parameters over large areas and under conditions that pose difficulties for other remote sensing techniques.

The NASA and UMD team collaborate on flight planning, flight missions, data processing, data distribution and development of science applications. Recent flight projects include those in support of the North American Carbon Program, NASA’s Solid Earth and Natural Hazards Program, NASA’s Interdisciplinary Science Program, and NASA’s Applications program.

Example publication: J. B. Blair, D. L. Rabine, and M. A. Hofton, The Laser Vegetation Imaging Sensor (LVIS): A medium-altitude, digitization-only, airborne laser altimeter for mapping vegetation and topography, ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 54, 115 – 122, 1999.