Unlocking Forest Diversity From Above
EDGEWATER, MARYLAND — Scientists from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center are studying how aircraft and satellite technology could be used to measure tree diversity and forest health from above. Working at the Smithsonian’s BiodiversiTREE research site in Maryland, the team examined leaves from different tree species and measured how they reflect light, along with characteristics such as chlorophyll, water content, structure, and photosynthetic capacity. Researchers hope these unique spectral…