#  NASA Laser Technology Reveals Climate Threat to Tropical Forests 

 





March 03, 2025

 

 

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   ![Shaoqing Liu in tropical forest for PNAS 2025 study on climate change and forest canopy](/sites/g/files/omnuum6811/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-04/Shaoqing%20Liu.jpg?itok=gdorH5f7) 

 

A [new study](https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2401755122) using NASA laser technology from the International Space Station has revealed the significant impact of climate change on tropical forest canopies across Asia, Africa, and South America. Published in the *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, the research utilized data from the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), a spaceborne LiDAR instrument, to assess changes in forest canopy height—an important indicator of forest health and carbon storage capacity.

The study, led by Shaoqing Liu, a postdoctoral fellow in Professor Paul Moorcroft's lab, found that environmental factors such as elevation, dry season length, and solar radiation account for nearly 75% of canopy height variation. GEDI’s advanced laser measurements enabled the team to analyze vast stretches of undisturbed tropical forests, offering unprecedented insights into how ecosystems respond to climate stress.

Researchers found that southern Amazon forests are particularly vulnerable due to increasingly prolonged dry seasons. “We may see significant reductions in canopy height,” Liu warned, noting the link between taller canopies, greater carbon storage, and ecosystem resilience.

Senior author Moorcroft emphasized the broader implications of the findings, highlighting the importance of understanding forest structure to inform conservation and climate policies. Liu hopes future studies will expand to include secondary forests and guide efforts to protect vulnerable ecosystems.

“Tropical forests are not only biodiversity hotspots, they are critical for carbon storage,” Liu said. “Protecting them is essential for mitigating climate change.”



 

 

 



 

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