GEDI Essentials Recap

Module 2 has taken participants on a comprehensive exploration of the GEDI mission, from its technical design and global ecological significance to the detailed interpretation of its 3-dimensional data products. By unpacking the foundational variables, waveform characteristics, and core vegetation and biomass metrics, this module has equipped users with both the conceptual understanding and practical skills needed to begin working confidently with GEDI data. The hands-on exercises and case studies demonstrated real-world applications in forest monitoring, carbon assessment, biodiversity conservation, and land management, while also highlighting the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating GEDI into broader remote sensing workflows. As participants move forward, they are encouraged to apply these insights, explore GEDI’s capabilities within their own study areas, and build upon the foundational workflows introduced here to set the stage for the more advanced and application-focused modules to come.

Answer Key to the Knowledge Checks

Knowledge Check #11: True or False?:

GEDI’s pre-launch above ground biomass calibration equations were generated from lidar data only.

False, generating above ground biomass calibration equations is a function of lidar data and ground plot field inventory datasets that are standardized. The lidar data are used to simulate GEDI-like waveforms and derived metrics using the GEDI simulator (link). These reference lidar data based simulations are then used to calibrate biomass equations with the field biomass reference data. The lidar data can be airborne, drone, or terrestrial laser scanned data so long as it meets the reference data requirements (link cal/val GEDI mission page).

Knowledge Check #12:

Which dataset (L4A vs L4B) would you use for plot-level forest inventory → L4A
Which dataset (L4A vs L4B) would you use for national carbon accounting → L4B

Knowledge Check #13

agbd_se quantifies the uncertainty of each biomass estimate

Knowledge Check #14

True or False: A dense canopy always means high biomass.
- False. Dense tree cover doesn’t always equal high biomass — forest age, disturbance, or degradation can lead to intact canopies with relatively low biomass. That’s why GEDI’s biomass estimates (agbd) are more informative than tree cover alone.

Knowledge Check #15

What makes GEDI unique compared to optical or radar-based biomass datasets?
- GEDI uses spaceborne lidar to directly measure forest vertical structure and height, producing globally consistent biomass estimates. Optical and radar data often saturate in dense forests, but GEDI provides a calibrated lidar backbone for global biomass monitoring.

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