NASA Creates World's First Global Forest Map Using Lasers

[Sabre]

Article at TreeHugger

Scientists, using three NASA satellites, have created a first-of-its-kind map that details the height of the world's forests. The data was collected from NASA's ICESat, Terra and Aqua satellites. The latter two satellites are responsible for most of NASA's Gulf spill imagery. The data collected will help scientists understand how the world's forests both store and process carbon. While there are many local and regional canopy maps, this is the very first global map using a uniform method for measure.

It's actually kind of sad how little is there is

[Cereb Daithi]

So looking at this I can determine that....

AUSTRALIANS ARE A BUNCH OF OXYGEN MOOCHERS! Come on you Aussies!


In all seriousness though this map is a bit misleading. What tolerances are we talking here? This makes it look like there are NO trees at all in the central states. Obviously they are not heavily forested like the northeast but it certainly makes this map look worse when you have gigantic dead spots in the centers of countries.

[zaxrex]

Well, to answer your questions, Dave.
The resolution is 5 square kilometers. The conditions are that any indicated area of green shows 0-7 intensity representing canopy height. 90% of the trees in the area of resolution must be equal or taller than the indicated level.
So this means that you have to have an almost two square mile section of growth with a super high canopy density of 90% to get a spot on the map. That is why the pictures are so bleak looking.
It is like saying nobody goes to a Penguins game because there are 10% unoccupied seats.

[Cereb Daithi]

Somebody is still sore about that whole kicking your ass thing.

But anyways back on topic... thanks for the clarification.

[ElZorro]

Somebody is still sore about that whole kicking your ass thing.

Only people lacking integrity cheer when the bully beats up the retarded kid.

[Sabre]

Somebody is still sore about that whole kicking your ass thing.

Only people lacking integrity cheer when the bully beats up the retarded kid.

BUT IT'S FUNNY!!!!! I'm so going to hell...

[zaxrex]

C'mon guys, don't call Dave retarded, that is not nice. The Pennsylvania education system can only do so much.
How is he supposed to remember that Pit never once won a game against the Caps last year, came in 4th in the conference compared to 1st, won only 47 games as opposed to 54? They are the Stanley Cup defenders, and they lost all 4 games against the Caps, really?

Yes the Caps lost in the first round of the playoffs - to Montreal. Since Montreal is in Canada, and most of the Penguin's players are from Canada, maybe Dave thinks that is equivalent to "kicking our asses"?

[Cereb Daithi]

Hey I'm not the one that brought up Pittsburgh. Wasn't trying to start a war but I see I touched a nerve!


You win oh mighty keeper of stats. I dare not continue this debate further as I am not even a fan of hockey or any team sports for that matter.

[zaxrex]

I'm not the one that brought up trees.
In this context, I thought the tree joke was funny. I still do. I was busting your balls, not kicking them.

[chicken n waffles]

C'mon guys, don't call Dave retarded, that is not nice.

it's fitting, though.


i found it funny how pens fans clowned the caps for losing to the habs in 7, then they turned around and did the exact same thing. the good thing about pens fans, on nasioc at least, is that when they lose, their fans go into hibernation.

/derail

[Cereb Daithi]

And this is exactly the reason I never talk to sports fans. They get way too aggressive over something that they have no hand in. Cheer up, get over it, and talk about forests. I have no desire to engage in a "which internationally imported team of ice skaters with sticks that has a stadium in our city is better?" debate.

I'm sorry for making one short comment when someone made a pass at my hometown. I assumed the " " implied that I was joking but I see you can't even joke around Ben without him going for the kill. Grow up. Get back on topic. If you want to hurl abuse at me because because of what other people that happen to live in the same geographical location as me have done, then you can feel free to PM me. Don't waste everyone else's time and keep making them check new posts on a thread to find it's still off topic.

I'm here to enjoy talking with fellow car enthusiasts. You included. Not discuss sports teams in a thread about trees.♦

[chicken n waffles]

you telling me to grow up. that's rich.

moving on...

[Cereb Daithi]

Fair enough.

Tolerances aside, I was actually surprised at some of the bare spots.