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Description

This three-part training builds on a fundamental understanding of light detection and ranging (lidar), including its strengths, limitations, and distinguishing characteristics compared to other active and passive remote sensing observations. A central focus of the training is NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) mission, a novel spaceborne lidar sensor that began collecting data in April 2019. GEDI is the first mission specifically designed for observing the vertical structure of forests and vegetation. Through case studies and an overview of available GEDI data products, participants will explore how GEDI informs analyses of canopy structure and supports biomass estimation for forests. The training introduces the sensitivity of waveform lidar by guiding participants through plotting waveforms and deriving key vegetation structure metrics, such as canopy cover, elevation, relative height, and plant area indices. In addition, participants will learn how to work with GEDI-derived biomass estimates  in combination with data fusion products. The course covers the theoretical background of GEDI's capabilities and demonstrations on accessing, plotting, and interpreting GEDI data. The training concludes with an introduction to interpreting biomass datasets for decision support, which can be accessed through Google Earth Engine using the OBIWAN (Online Biomass Inference using Waveforms And iNventory) Application Programming Interface (API).

Objectives

By the end of this training, attendees will be able to:

  • Identify the fundamental physical principles of lidar remote sensing, including the uses and limitations for terrestrial applications.
  • Access and retrieve full waveform lidar data from public NASA repositories to visualize vegetation structure.
  • Identify key GEDI products, including elevation, canopy height, vegetation structure metrics, and biomass, across different processing levels and spatial resolutions.
  • Access and visualize GEDI data related to elevation, height, vegetation structure, and biomass for specific areas of interest using openly available tools.
  • Utilize GEDI standard biomass products at both footprint and 1 km scales to map forest resources.
  • Access the open-source OBIWAN API to generate estimates of biomass change in areas of interest.
  • Identify how OBIWAN can be used to create baseline scenarios for forest carbon accounting projects.

Audience

  • This training is designed for end users interested in improving their ability to monitor, manage, and understand vegetation dynamics, including impacts, and disturbances. It will be especially valuable for technical teams seeking to explore novel lidar technologies to integrate into existing workflows. It is geared toward technical audiences, including scientists, researchers, analysts, and land managers who are already using geospatial tools to support vegetation-related management and decision-support. These participants may be involved in areas such as ecosystem extent and health assessments, carbon quantification, and conservation or restoration planning.
  • Land managers who use technical tools or work on fire-related issues, water quality, or water conservation management may also benefit from understanding how these technologies and tools help monitor and interpret changing vegetation dynamics relevant to their work.

Course Format

  • Online, instructor-led
  • Three 2-hour sessions, including a 30-minute Q&A
  • Bilingual (English and Spanish)
    • English Session: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
    • Spanish Session: 2:00 -4:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
  • Participants who attend all three sessions and complete the homework by the due date will receive a certificate of completion.

Sessions

Part 1: Introduction to Full-Waveform Lidar

Oct. 23, 2025

ARSET Trainers: Savannah Cooley

Guest Instructors: Naiara Pinto

  • The ARSET Program
  • Training Overview
  • Introduction to Session 1
  • Fundamentals of Lidar Remote Sensing
  • Review of Different Types of Lidar Data
  • Full Waveform Lidar Data from the GEDI Mission
  • Demonstration 1: Access, Plot, and Interpret GEDI Waveform Data
  • Demonstration 2: Access and Plot Relative Height Metrics
  • Summary of Session 1
  • Q&A Session

Part 2: Introduction to the GEDI Mission and its Derived Products

Oct. 30, 2025

ARSET Trainers: Juan Torres-Pérez

Guest Instructors: Stephanie Jimenez

  • Introduction to Session 2
  • GEDI Mission Objectives and Application Areas
  • Overview of GEDI Products and Tools
  • Accessing, Downloading and Visualizing GEDI Products
  • Summary of Session 2
  • Q&A Session

Part 3: Estimating Biomass Change with GEDI and the OBIWAN API

Nov. 6, 2025

ARSET Trainers: Erika Podest

Guest Instructors: Sean Healey, Zhiqiang Yang

  • Introduction to Session 3
  • GEDI Mission Biomass Estimation: Theory and Products
  • OBIWAN: Estimating Biomass Change with GEDI and Landsat Time Series
  • Customize OBIWAN Through its API and Compare Carbon Gains to Climate Scenarios
  • Summary of Session 3
  • Training Overview
  • Q&A Session

Details

Last Updated

Oct. 3, 2025

Published

Sept. 30, 2025

Data Center/Project

Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET)