Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #30894: Mapping Earth’s Forests from Orbit: The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI)

Understanding how forests grow, change, and absorb carbon is one of the biggest challenges in climate science. The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), led by Dr. Ralph Dubayah and a team of top scientists from NASA and several universities, set out to meet this challenge with a laser-based system mounted on the International Space Station.

GEDI uses a specialized light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system to measure the 3D structure of Earth’s forests. Unlike satellites that only take pictures from above, LiDAR sends laser pulses down to Earth and measures the time it takes for them to bounce back. This allows scientists to map not just the tops of trees, but the layers below—the branches, trunks, and even ground cover.

Mounted on the ISS, GEDI covers a broad swath of Earth’s land surface as the station orbits. It collects billions of precise data points, creating the most detailed map ever of the vertical structure of forests. This helps scientists calculate how much carbon is stored in trees and how that changes over time.

Why is this important? Forests are a key part of Earth’s carbon cycle. They absorb carbon dioxide—a major greenhouse gas—from the atmosphere. Knowing how much carbon is stored in trees, and how that amount changes, is crucial for modeling climate change and making decisions about forest management and conservation.

GEDI’s data also help track deforestation, monitor reforestation efforts, and assess the impact of events like wildfires, hurricanes, or insect outbreaks. With this bird’s-eye view, scientists and policymakers get a clearer picture of Earth’s vital ecosystems.

In short, GEDI turns the ISS into a high-tech forest monitoring station, offering a new perspective on our changing planet.

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