Mar 27, 2025 · NASA’s Earth-observing satellites reveal the impacts humans have on ecosystems by collecting data on factors such as nighttime lights, forest cover, and air quality.

The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) instrument is a full-waveform lidar installed on the International Space Station that produces detailed observations of the 3D structure of Earth’s surface. GEDI's three lasers precisely measure forest canopy height, canopy vertical structure, and surface elevation.

Mar 27, 2025 · Wetlands are a type of terrain where the land is permanently or seasonally saturated with water. Swamps and marshes are types of wetlands. Insects, waterfowl, fish, amphibians, and other animals often find a home in wetlands, creating a complex ecosystem that combines land-based and aquatic life.

Mar 27, 2025 · Having a diverse assemblage of plants, animals, and other organisms in a wide range of habitats promotes ecosystem productivity. Thriving, diverse ecosystems help balance processes like nutrient storage and recycling, pollution filtration, and water resource maintenance.

Jul 21, 2020 · Both are endangered, due in large part to habitat fragmentation from logging and other human activities. And both are evidence of the Earth's dwindling natural resources, according to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), the first-ever global effort to take stock of the planet's ecosystem health. And the vital signs aren't looking good.

Feb 15, 2025 · Vegetation, soil, climate, and wildlife are the primary components of a biome’s composition. Maintaining species richness in the biosphere ensures the productivity and stability of ecosystem processes, making it critical to monitor vegetation and …

Dec 28, 2020 · There is little interest in monitoring the species unless it has a major effect on people or the ecosystem, and by then the damage is done. Knowing where the ctenophore is likely to spread could mean that countries might impose rules on ships for filtering their ballast waters, to avoid introducing the species in a place it would likely thrive.

Dec 28, 2020 · Wetlands are places where land is permanently or seasonally saturated with water, forming a distinct ecosystem that is both aquatic and land-based. Although wetlands may exist wherever water collects, they often border rivers and lakes, creating spongy coastlines astir with fish, birds, and the drone of mosquitoes and dragonflies.

Feb 28, 2024 · When NASA's Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem satellite launched into space on February 8, 2024, the team was excited for the spacecraft to begin its mission. This is not only because the endeavor was more than a decade in the making and critical for understanding Earth's ocean, atmosphere, and climate.

Apr 9, 2025 · Carbon sequestration is the process through which CO2 from the atmosphere is absorbed by various carbon sinks. Types of sinks include agricultural sinks, forests, geologic formations, oceanic sinks,as well as roots and within the soil. Definition source: United States Geological Survey