Using planes and lasers for a biodiversity checkup
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a new system to measure the diversity and health of forests with a laser scanner mounted on an aeroplane. (SRF, swissinfo.ch)
Studies have demonstrated that the stability and productivity of a forest’s ecosystem correlates to plant diversity. Generally, forests that are more biodiverse are more resistant to diseases, insects, fire, storms and also able to cope with higher variations in environmental conditions.
Until now, keeping track of plants in forests had involved some very labour-intensive fieldwork.
The University of Zurich and the California Institute of Technology / NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory jointly developed a new methodology to measure the diversity of forests remotely. The study was recently published in NatureExternal link magazine.
The newly developed procedureExternal link involves a laser scanner mounted on a plane. It has enabled scientists to measure the size, shape and structure of the trees, including the canopy’s height, foliage and branch density. From this data, they are able to infer, for instance, how a forest absorbs sunlight to assimilate carbon dioxide.
In addition to the laser scanner, the approach involves the use of ‘imaging spectroscopyExternal link‘ which allows scientists to find out more about the activity and health status of forest’s trees. It can be used to find out, for example, if a tree needs water and what strategies the tree is using to adapt to the environment.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Climate researcher awarded top Swiss science prize
This content was published on
Stocker, a professor at the University of Bern, began his research into climatology in the late 1980s. His teams have drilled ice in Greenland and Antarctica to determine to determine greenhouse gas concentrations dating back 800,000 years. Using theoretical modelling techniques, he discovered that there is a close connection between changes in ocean currents and…
When weather extremes cause plants to climb mountains
This content was published on
The research, centred in the Glarus Alps, is taking place just as 20 thousand participants meet in Morocco to agree the details for implementing the global Paris accord to combat global warming. Biologists from the Federal Technology Institute (ETH) and the University of Lausanne want to find out what happens when global warming or cooling…
This content was published on
Federal engineers are preparing for forests in the year 2080, by which point temperatures will have risen by four degrees Celsius.
This content was published on
Switzerland's top science prize has been awarded to environmental researcher, Thomas Stocker, for his work in demonstrating the reality of climate change.
Swiss must better prepare to ‘minimise climate change’ risks
This content was published on
Switzerland's environment office says it wants the country to do more to prepare for climate change, as its impacts are already clearly visible.
This content was published on
When you think of innovation, you also may think of patents and profits. But Swiss researchers argue that we should be focusing on people and places.
Zurich researchers behind new orangutan species discovery
This content was published on
A team of around 40 researchers, including two from the University of Zurich, have identified a new species of orangutan that lives in northern Sumatra. The Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) will become the eighth great ape species known to science thanks to a team of researchers from around the world, including Switzerland. Only around 800…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.