Evaluating Prospects for Improved Forest Parameter Retrieval From Satellite LiDAR Using a Physically-Based Radiative Transfer Model

A space-based full-waveform LiDAR system, optimised for vegetation analysis, offers the opportunity for global biophysical parameter retrieval of the world's forests. However the conditions under which signals from the ground and vegetation can be detected will vary as a result of sensor specifications, vegetation characteristics and underlying surface properties. This paper demonstrates the utility of a ray tracing radiative transfer model for assessing sensitivity to site-specific conditions (e.g., topography, canopy and ground reflectance) that will improve our ability to estimate structural parameters in forest ecosystems.