Csillik Publishes Papers on NASA GEDI Mission, Degradation of Brazilian Amazon Rainforest

Faculty Affiliate Ovidiu Csillik published two recent papers highlighting the role of remote sensing in improving our understanding of how tropical forests are responding to climate change dynamics.

“Environmental drivers of spatial variation in tropical forest canopy height: Insights from NASA’s GEDI spaceborne LiDAR.” The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the environmental factors influencing spatial variation in tropical forest canopy height, using data from NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) spaceborne LiDAR mission. NASA’s GEDI mission is vital for enhancing our ability to observe and understand global patterns of forest dynamics, providing unprecedented, high-resolution data on forest structure that informs ecological research, conservation efforts, and carbon management strategies. By identifying key drivers such as elevation, dry season length, and solar radiation, the research offers valuable insights into how tropical forests respond to environmental shifts. This study not only advances our knowledge of global forest structures but also helps inform policies and practices aimed at preserving these critical ecosystems.

• Liu, Shaoqing, Ovidiu Csillik, Elsa M. Ordway, Li-Ling Chang, Marcos Longo, Michael Keller, and Paul R. Moorcroft. “Environmental drivers of spatial variation in tropical forest canopy height: Insights from NASA’s GEDI spaceborne LiDAR.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 122, no. 10 (2025): e2401755122.

“Degradation and deforestation increase the sensitivity of the Amazon Forest to climate extremes.”  A significant portion of the Brazilian Amazon has been altered by deforestation and forest degradation, yet its impact on forest resilience to climate extremes remains unclear. Using airborne lidar data and ecosystem modeling, the study reveals that degraded forests are more sensitive to drought conditions, with reduced carbon uptake and evapotranspiration. As deforestation and selective logging expand, more areas may become vulnerable to droughts, highlighting the urgent need for conservation to maintain the Amazon’s ecological stability.

• Longo, Marcos, Michael Keller, Lara M. Kueppers, Kevin Bowman, Ovidiu Csillik, Antonio Ferraz, Paul M. Moorcroft et al. “Degradation and deforestation increase the sensitivity of the Amazon Forest to climate extremes.” Environmental Research Letters (2025)