This introductory webinar series will cover the fundamentals of Solar Induced Fluorescence (SIF) and LIDAR, their applications, and an overview of different satellite data sources that are openly available. In addition, it will also include a step-by-step guide on how to access, open, and interpret SIF and LIDAR data. It serves as a strong proxy to gross primary production (GPP), capturing dynamic responses of vegetation to stressors such as drought and temperature.

LIDAR is a sensor system that illuminates a target and measures distance through the time taken for a pulse to reflect back to the sensor. LIDAR can be used to generate topography and vegetation height maps and retrieve digital elevation data necessary for flood modeling and vulnerability, along with risk analysis. They are valuable datasets for disaster assessment of debris deposition, vegetation loss, and flooding.

Relevant UN Sustainable Development Goal: 

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

Course Dates: March 16, 18, 23, 25, 2021

Times and Registration Information: 

English Session: 11:00-13:00 EDT (UTC-4): https://go.nasa.gov/3pmdN4C

Spanish Session: 14:00-15:00 EDT (UTC-4): https://go.nasa.gov/3iWMaN5

Learning Objectives: By the end of this training, attendees will be able to understand the basic concepts of SIF and LIDAR sensors, how to interpret the measurements, and how they can be used to address different applications. In addition, attendees will also be able to access, open, and analyze SIF and LIDAR data.

Audience: Academia as well as local, regional, state, federal, and international organizations interested in using satellite imagery to support applications related to vegetation studies and disasters.

Course Format: Four, 2-hour parts

Retweet option: https://twitter.com/NASAARSET/status/1358795789024321540