GEDI is a new LiDAR instrument aboard the International Space Station and is a collaboration between NASA and the University of Maryland. Launched in 2018, GEDI has the highest resolution (25 m at each footprint) and densest sampling of any LiDAR in orbit. This instrument collects high resolution observations of the 3D structure of the Earth. Over its 2-year mission, GEDI is expected to gather 10 billion cloud-free observations. The data GEDI gathers will be used to measure vertical structure, with a particular focus on forested ecosystems. GEDI’s main science objectives are to:
Quantify the distribution of aboveground carbon stored in vegetation
Quantify the effects of vegetation disturbance and recovery on carbon storage
Quantify the potential for existing and new/ regrowing forests to sequester carbon in the future
Quantify the spatial and temporal distribution of habitat structure and its influence on habitat quality and biodiversity
Objectives
GEDI data became publicly available in January 2020. Our lab will explore the feasibility of using GEDI data to estimate Aboveground Biomass and Carbon storage in mangroves. While GEDI’s primary objectives focus on forested ecosystems, we hope to use this data to study mangrove ecosystems as well. More information about the GEDI mission can be found here: https://gedi.umd.edu/
Mangrove Science 