This GEDI doesn’t use a lightsaber. But it does use light as it studies Earth's ecosystems.
The Global Ecosystem and Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) instrument was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2018. Firing harmless laser beams down at Earth — lidar — it measures the return signal to determine the height profile of land surfaces below (particularly tree cover). The data allows researchers to accurately estimate above-ground biomass.
On May 21 and 28, 2026, NASA’s Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET) will offer a bilingual (English and Spanish) two-part GEDI training titled Estimating Biomass Change with GEDI and the OBIWAN API. This training builds on a previous course, Spaceborne LiDAR for Monitoring Vegetation Structure and Biomass using GEDI (Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation), which introduced participants to the theoretical background of spaceborne lidar capabilities and guided them through accessing and visualizing GEDI data.
In this follow-on training, participants will learn how to use OBIWAN, a web-based API that enables users to access and analyze the GEDI-based biomass datasets hosted on Google Earth Engine. These tools support the development of customized carbon monitoring systems for applications at the project, organizational, or national scale.
The training is free and open to the public. It is recommended for end users interested in improving the monitoring, management, and understanding of vegetation dynamics, including responses to disturbances and environmental change. It is particularly well suited for those looking to explore emerging lidar technologies and integrate these methods into their workflows.
Land managers and practitioners working with technical tools, especially in areas such as fire management, water quality, and water conservation, may benefit from understanding how GEDI data can be used to assess changes in vegetation relevant to these applications.
To register for the training in English, please visit:
https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/trainings/estimating-biomass-change-gedi-obiwan-api
To register for the training in Spanish, please visit:
https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/es/learn/trainings/estimacion-de-biomasa-y-cambios-con-gedi-y-la-interfaz-obiwan-api