What is a common application of LIDAR in environmental science?

LIDAR technology is particularly effective in mapping vegetation and assessing forest structure due to its ability to penetrate through canopies and collect detailed three-dimensional information about plant height, density, and distribution. By emitting laser pulses and measuring the time it takes for the signal to return after hitting objects, LIDAR can generate highly accurate digital elevation models. This granularity allows researchers to analyze various forest attributes such as biomass, canopy cover, and gaps within the forest structure.

While tracking animal movements, monitoring air quality, and calculating soil moisture levels are important applications in environmental science, they do not leverage LIDAR's strengths in the same way as mapping vegetation does. For instance, tracking animal movements typically relies more on GPS collar data or radio telemetry rather than LIDAR. Similarly, air quality monitoring generally involves chemical sensors and atmospheric models, while soil moisture assessment often utilizes soil sensors or remote sensing technologies designed for different measurements. Thus, the role of LIDAR shines brightest in its capacity to provide detailed insights into vegetation and forest structure.