A Structure-Based Framework for the Combination of GEDI and TanDEM-X Measurements Over Forest Scenarios

Abstract

NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) waveform lidar is expected to provide unprecedented measurements of forest structure and biomass in tropical and temperate environments. In order to bridge the limitations induced by the ground sampling of the GEDI waveforms, and to obtain enhanced forest structure estimates, the potential of combining TanDEM-X (high resolution) single-pass interferometric coherences and lidar waveforms is currently investigated. In this work, a combination framework based on the ability of lidar and TanDEM-X measurements to express physical forest structure by means of appropriate indices is discussed. In particular, commonalities and complementarities between the different measurements are addressed by means of experimental results obtained in temperate and tropical forest sites in which comparisons among structure indices from lidar, TanDEM-X and field inventories can be established.