We are in the process of migrating all NASA Earth science data sites into Earthdata from now until end of 2026. Not all NASA Earth science data and resources will appear here until then. Thank you for your patience as we make this transition.
Read about the Web Unification Project
Terrestrial Ecosystems Data Access and Tools
NASA has terrestrial ecosystem datasets that help researchers characterize natural areas around the world. Access a range of data and data tools such as AppEEARS, Worldview, and Giovanni to make the most of terrestrial ecosystem data.
Featured Terrestrial Ecosystem Observation Method: GEDI Lidar
The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) instrument is a full-waveform lidar aboard the International Space Station that maps the 3D structure of Earth’s surface. GEDI's three lasers precisely measure forest canopy height, canopy vertical structure, and surface elevation. The instrument's 3D data provide scientists with measurements to calculate the amount of biomass and carbon in forests and how much they lose when disturbed or destroyed.
Data from NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) mission are adding to our understanding of carbon cycling and the structure and development of global biomes.
7 MIN READ
Join us for an introduction to GEDI Level 3 and Level 4 data products and to learn how to discover, access, visualize, and analyze the data.
Join us for an introduction to NASA’s Global Ecosystems Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) datasets and to learn how to use LP DAAC's web service, data prep script, and Jupyter Notebook Python tutorial series.
The latest dataset from the GEDI mission provides gridded estimates of aboveground biomass density at greater accuracy and resolution than previously available.
8 MIN READ
Terrestrial Ecosystems Datasets
| Dataset | Platforms | Instruments | Temporal Extent | Location Keywords | Spatial Extent | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Concise Experiment Plan for the Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment | FIELD INVESTIGATION | Computer | 2014-01-01 to 2021-12-31 | ARCTIC, CANADA, ALASKA | N: 81.6086 S: 39.415 E: -66.9178 W: -176.125 | |
| ABoVE: Alder Shrub Cover and Soil Properties, Alaska, 2019, V2 | LANDSAT-8, LABORATORY, FIELD INVESTIGATION | OLI, CHN ANALYZERS, IRMS, VISUAL CENSUS TRANSECTS | 2018-08-14 to 2019-08-28 | ALASKA | N: 68.0185 S: 66.3401 E: -149.708 W: -150.714 | multiple |
| ABoVE: Annual Aboveground Biomass for Boreal Forests of ABoVE Core Domain, 1984-2014 | LANDSAT-5, LANDSAT-7, MODELS, ICESat | TM, ETM+, Computer, GLAS | 1984-01-01 to 2014-12-31 | NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, SASKATCHEWAN, BRITISH COLUMBIA, YUKON TERRITORY, ALASKA | N: 69.7323 S: 51.7769 E: -101.736 W: -165.41 | GeoTIFF |
| ABoVE: Burned Area, Depth, and Combustion for Alaska and Canada, 2001-2019 | Terra, LANDSAT, Aqua | MODIS, OLI, TIRS | 2001-01-01 to 2019-12-31 | NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, YUKON TERRITORY, CANADA, ALASKA | N: 72.9491 S: 42.885 E: -48.7792 W: -167.959 | COG |
| ABoVE: Characterization of Burned and Unburned Boreal Forest Stands, SK, Canada, 2016 | FIELD SURVEYS, MODELS | STEEL MEASURING TAPE, SOIL SAMPLER, CLINOMETERS, GPS, Computer | 2016-05-30 to 2016-06-16 | SASKATCHEWAN | N: 57.3646 S: 54.091 E: -104.693 W: -109.173 | CSV |
| ABoVE: Characterization of Carbon Dynamics in Burned Forest Plots, NWT, Canada, 2014 | FIELD SURVEYS, MODELS, LABORATORY | CLINOMETERS, Computer, MASS SPECTROMETERS | 2015-06-14 to 2015-06-14 | NORTHWEST TERRITORIES | N: 71.6947 S: 56.2542 E: -102 W: -136.119 | CSV |
| ABoVE: Distribution Maps of Wildland Fire Fuel Components across Alaskan Tundra, 2015 | LANDSAT-8 | OLI | 2013-01-01 to 2017-12-31 | ALASKA, YUKON TERRITORY | N: 72.5229 S: 57.3911 E: -132.487 W: -170.006 | GeoTIFF |
| ABoVE: Lake and Pond Extents in Alaskan Boreal and Tundra Subregions, 2019-2021 | PlanetScope | PlanetScope | 2019-05-19 to 2021-09-28 | ALASKA | N: 67.2081 S: 60.7642 E: -143.836 W: -164.402 | Shapefile |
| ABoVE: Landsat Tundra Greenness and Summer Air Temperatures, Arctic Tundra, 1985-2016 | LANDSAT-5, LANDSAT-7, LANDSAT-8 | TM, ETM+, OLI | 1985-07-01 to 2016-08-31 | ARCTIC | N: 90 S: 31.49 E: 180 W: -180 | multiple |
| ABoVE: Landsat Vegetation Greenness Trends, Boreal Forest Biome, 1985-2019 | LANDSAT-5, LANDSAT-7, LANDSAT-8 | TM, ETM+, OLI, TIRS | 1985-01-01 to 2019-12-31 | POLAR | N: 72 S: 45 E: 180 W: -180 | multiple |
SHOWING 10 OF 282
Frequently Asked Questions
Earthdata Forum
Our online forum provides a space for users to browse thousands of FAQs about research needs, data, and data applications. You can also submit new questions for our experts to answer.
Submit Questions to Earthdata Forumand View Expert Responses