NASA's Space Laser Unveils Rainforest Canopy Mystery
NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), a space laser, has provided the first detailed structure of the world's rainforest canopies, revealing that they are simpler and more exposed to sunlight than previously thought. The data also debunked the theory that canopies are fullest at the top, showing that most tropical forests have a peak in the number of leaves at 15 meters. This research is crucial for understanding tropical ecosystems, biodiversity, and the impact of climate change on rainforest animals.