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A surveying method that uses laser pulses to measure distances and build three-dimensional information about surfaces.
Save conceptLiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. It is a way to measure the shape and position of surfaces using laser light. Surveyors use the observations to describe terrain, trees and buildings in three dimensions. The equipment measures distance; the final map also depends on locating the instrument and processing its observations.
The instrument sends pulses of light toward a surface and records reflected signals. Their travel times provide distance information. The survey combines these measurements with the instrument’s position, orientation and calibration. Many located measurements form a collection of spatial points that can be processed into terrain or vegetation products.
Imagine a team surveying a forest before planning a trail. It flies a scanner over the area, processes the measurements and examines the resulting terrain and canopy models. Staff use those products to identify steep ground and investigate vegetation patterns, then compare the interpretation with observations made in the forest. These are hypothetical uses, not findings about a specific Jamaican site.
LiDAR differs from an ordinary colour photograph because it provides distance and elevation information. It does not by itself identify every tree species or explain the cause of damage. Coverage, calibration, vegetation and processing choices affect the product. Ground observations and other imagery can help interpret what the measurements represent.
Jamaica adds drone surveys and a unified system for forest recovery