LiDAR for Environmental Monitoring
LiDAR systems are increasingly deployed to monitor environmental changes at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. These systems can detect submillimeter deformations in dam structures, measure biomass volumes across forest canopies, and identify hydrocarbon seeps in marine environments—all while generating point cloud densities exceeding 100 points per square meter.
The fundamental challenge lies in balancing sensor resolution and range capabilities against the practical constraints of power consumption, data processing, and deployment costs in harsh environmental conditions.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including dual-wavelength systems for weather detection, spaceborne Doppler configurations for atmospheric monitoring, vessel-mounted pollution detection arrays, and integrated sensor fusion approaches for biomass estimation. These and other approaches focus on making environmental monitoring more accessible, accurate, and actionable for conservation efforts.
1. Ecological Monitoring System with Lidar-Equipped Drones and Modular Data Processing for Forest and Grassland Analysis
GUIZHOU FORESTRY SURVEY AND PLANNING INST, GUIZHOU FORESTRY SURVEY AND PLANNING INSTITUTE, 2024
A forest and grass ecological monitoring system using lidar to overcome limitations of satellite remote sensing for accurate and timely monitoring of forest and grass ecosystems. The system involves a ground-based preparation module, multiple mobile lidar collection stations, a flight control module, data processing module, and visualization module. The preparation module generates terrain and vegetation models for specific monitoring tasks. Lidar-equipped drones collect data, which is processed to analyze metrics like tree height, crown coverage, and terrain elevation. The models and metrics are visualized to provide real-time insights into forest and grass ecology.
2. Dam Slope Deformation Monitoring System with Integrated UAV Photogrammetry, Radar Interferometry, LiDAR, GPS, and Micro-Core Piles
CHINA INSTITUTE OF WATER RESOURCES AND HYDROPOWER RESEARCH, 2023
A dam slope deformation monitoring system and method that uses multiple sensors and technologies to continuously monitor and warn of dam slope collapses. The system uses UAV photogrammetry, ground-based radar interferometry, LiDAR scanning, GPS positioning, and micro-core piles to monitor dams from slow deformation to rapid deformation and collapse. It involves progressively focused monitoring from wide area to key areas to particles, and from 2D surface to 3D displacement.
3. LiDAR-Based System for Remote Detection and Mapping of Hydrocarbon Bubbles on Water Surfaces
ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, 2021
Using LiDAR to remotely detect and map hydrocarbon bubbles on the surface of water bodies like lakes and oceans. It involves surveying shallow water environments with LiDAR to detect surface hydrocarbon bubbles for purposes like hydrocarbon exploration and brownfield remediation. The technique leverages LiDAR's ability to measure distance and identify targets by analyzing reflected laser light. The aim is to find optimal hydrocarbon sources or locate contamination by detecting surface bubbles that may contain hydrocarbons.
4. Marine Vessel-Mounted LiDAR System for Pollution Detection with Position and Time Stamping
POLARCUS DMCC, 2019
A system for detecting pollution on or at a sea surface that mounts on a marine vessel to provide lower-cost environmental pollution data for an area at sea compared to airplanes or satellites. The system uses LiDAR, positioning data, and a timestamp to detect and record pollution along the vessel's path. The pollution data is encrypted and stored for analysis.
LiDAR is a flexible and useful system for environmental protection that may be used for anywhere from pollutant detection on sea surfaces to monitoring dam stability. More advances and cost-effectiveness in LiDAR technology could lead to even more applications in environmental monitoring.
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