Scientists are using lasers to accurately "weigh" trees in the tropical rainforests.
The researchers, from University College London and the National Physical Laboratory created an animation of their laser-scanned trees, which they presented at the British Ecological Society meeting in Liverpool.
The method could help to monitor and combat deforestation by more accurately calculating how much carbon is locked within the rainforests, so a financial value can be assigned to in-tact forests.
A large-scale field assessment of carbon stocks in human-modified tropical forests (open, DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12627) (DX)
(Score: 2) by frojack on Saturday December 24 2016, @07:37PM
Why is the UCL worrying about tropical rain forests. Why not worry about the 1000 year deforestation of the British isles?
Zoom into just about anywhere in Britain and you will find a totally denuded landscape. It has been one of the most intensively farmed areas on the face of the earth. Much of this land is now used only to graze cattle or sheep, both of which do better with at least a few clusters of trees for shade and wind shelter.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2) by zocalo on Saturday December 24 2016, @08:43PM
UNIX? They're not even circumcised! Savages!
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday December 25 2016, @04:51AM
It's not like there are *no* trees in England...
I used to visit a friend on an estate in one of the little villages outside Bath. The owner's great-grandfather (1800s) had been to California and brought back some redwood & sequoia seeds (or seedlings, I never got the full story). Anyway, they liked the southern England climate and are now huge.