Light Detection and Ranging: New Information for Improved Wetland Mapping and Monitoring

To best preserve wetlands and associated ecosystem services, wetlands must be routinely monitored. Wetland mapping is an essential part of this monitoring program. Recently developed remote-sensing technologies and techniques have the potential to improve the detail and reliability of wetland maps and the ability to monitor important drivers of wetland condition and function, such as hydrology. One of these relatively new and rapidly developing technologies is laser altimetry, or light detection and ranging (LiDAR), which provides fine-scale information regarding 3-D topography, vegetation height, and plant structure, as well as hydropattern, across large areas.