What type of information can LIDAR provide that RADAR cannot?

LIDAR stands out in its ability to provide high-resolution surface features due to its use of laser light. This technology employs shorter wavelengths compared to RADAR, allowing it to capture finer details and produce more precise three-dimensional representations of surfaces. The laser's ability to focus tightly and discern features such as vegetation structure, building outlines, or topographical variances contributes significantly to the high resolution of the data collected.

In contrast, RADAR, which uses radio waves, typically provides coarser resolution than LIDAR and is more suited for broad applications like long-range sensing and environmental monitoring. While RADAR can also provide distance readings, weather data, and even some temperature measurements, it lacks the fine detail that LIDAR provides in mapping and analyzing surface characteristics. This distinction makes LIDAR particularly valuable in fields like forestry, urban planning, and geology, where detailed surface mapping is crucial.