FSU researcher uses NASA satellite data to reveal global patterns in tropical forest canopy height
A team of researchers, including Florida State University’s Department of Geography Assistant Professor Liling Chang, has published a study identifying key environmental factors that affect tropical forest canopy height. The research provides insights for predicting how tropical forests may react to future environmental changes.
Canopy height is a crucial indicator of forest ecosystem health, influencing elements such as drought resistance, tree mortality, biodiversity and carbon storage. The study, in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), uses data from NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), a spaceborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) instrument mounted on the International Space Station.
“The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation mission provides pioneering datasets and an innovative approach for examining ecosystem structure in three dimensions from regional to near-global scales,” Chang said. “Our findings enhance our understanding of how tropical forests respond to environmental stressors, which are crucial for conservation and climate mitigation efforts.”
“Our findings enhance our understanding of how tropical forests respond to environmental stressors, which are crucial for conservation and climate mitigation efforts.”
– Assistant Professor Liling Chang, Department of Geography
The research team found that about 75% of the variation in tropical forest canopy height can be attributed to climate, topography and soil characteristics. The study also showed that elevation, length of the dry season and solar radiation are key determinants influencing canopy height across tropical forests.
These insights can help inform sustainable forest management policies on a global scale by identifying vulnerabilities in tropical forests, such as the lengthening of the dry season in the Southern Amazon.
Understanding the factors that determine canopy height is crucial for accurate estimates of carbon storage and precise carbon accounting in ecosystem models. This information can help identify areas suited for long-term carbon storage and climate resilience initiatives.
To learn more about the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s Department of Geography, visit cosspp.fsu.edu/geography.
The post FSU researcher uses NASA satellite data to reveal global patterns in tropical forest canopy height appeared first on Florida State University News.
Latest FSU News
- New Campaign Urges FSU Students to Keep Their Heads UpThe post New Campaign Urges FSU Students to Keep Their Heads Up appeared first on Florida State University News.
- Behind the Scenes: ACC Inventure PrizeThe post Behind the Scenes: ACC Inventure Prize appeared first on Florida State University News.
- FSU chemist honored for discovering new way to study human genes, understand diseaseA Florida State University chemist has been recognized for developing a new method of analyzing human genetics that will help […] The post FSU chemist honored for discovering new way to study human genes, understand disease appeared first on Florida State University News.
- FSU partners with Ventris Learning to improve reading outcomesFlorida State University researchers are working with Wisconsin-based Ventris Learning to move new tools into elementary school classrooms that will […] The post FSU partners with Ventris Learning to improve reading outcomes appeared first on Florida State University News.
- The Big Story: June 9, 2025A multi-university team found that modern birds were nesting in the Arctic in the Cretaceous period. That work scrambles previously known timelines about when birds began […] The post The Big Story: June 9, 2025 appeared first on Florida State University News.
- FSU’s School of Dance preserves legacy of modern dance pioneers through costume collectionThe post FSU’s School of Dance preserves legacy of modern dance pioneers through costume collection appeared first on Florida State University News.
