V C L : Overview

Overview

VCL is an active remote sensing mission using Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. Lidar systems have been utilized extensively for small-scale observations using airborne platforms such as SLICER. The Shuttle Laser Altimeter (SLA) provided the first spaceborne vehicle for global-scale lidar observations.

Over the course of its two year lifespan, VCL will sample a good deal of the Earth's closed canopy forests, collecting elevation data for canopy tops as well as the underlying terrestrial topography. Additionally, VCL will help characterize vertical canopy structure at sensor sample points.

VCL Mission Goals

Science Objectives Measurement Objectives

Landcover Characterization for:

terrestrial ecosystem modeling, monitoring and prediction
climate modeling and prediction

Global reference data set of topographic spot heights and transects

Vegetation canopy top height ±1 m
Vertical distribution of intercepted surfaces
Ground Surface elevation ±1 m
Measurement transects globally gridded to 2 km X 2 km data products

The Impact of VCL

Provides 5- to 10-fold improvement in canopy height estimation for better biomass estimation
Provides direct canopy measurements that can be used to derive bulk aerodynamic parameters.
Covers 2% of tropical land surface, a 200,000-fold improvement in areal coverage over exisiting plot level surveys.
Provides direct estimation of degraded areas, areas of regrowth, and intact forests for quantifying biomass degradation.
Provides comprehensive assessment of structure and organization at landscape level for biodiversity studies.
Provides billions of topographic control points at 1 m accuracy.

Contacts | Overview - VCL | Links to related sites | Papers | Validation

Do you have comments? Please use our feedback page.