What type of LIDAR is particularly effective for penetrating vegetation?

Bathymetric LIDAR is specifically designed for applications related to underwater environments, making it particularly effective for penetrating the water surface to measure submerged landscapes and features. The technology uses green light wavelengths, which are capable of penetrating both water and, to some extent, vegetation, allowing it to measure depths and underwater features effectively.

This capability arises from the unique characteristics of light in different mediums and how different wavelengths behave when interacting with materials like water and plants. Unlike other forms of LIDAR, bathymetric LIDAR is optimized for these applications, which is why it stands out in contexts where measuring beneath foliage or through water is necessary.

In contrast, standard LIDAR typically focuses on surface features and might struggle to effectively penetrate the vegetation cover. Ground-based LIDAR tends to be used for more localized applications where vegetation interaction may not be as critical. Airborne LIDAR can provide extensive coverage over large areas but may not be optimized for the specific challenges associated with vegetation penetration like bathymetric LIDAR is.