NASA, Partner Space Agencies Measure Forests In Gabon

The video discusses the Africasat airborne campaign aimed at measuring ecosystem structures in Gabon, a highly forested country. The campaign uses remote sensing to gather data on forest structure, height, and carbon storage. Gabon's dense tropical forests provide a unique opportunity for study, with field plots set up for intensive measurements. Susan Sachi explains her role in validating airborne data with ground measurements. The video highlights Gabon's ecosystem's importance in climate regulation and the global carbon budget, addressing challenges in estimating carbon emissions and storage.

What is the primary goal of the Africasat airborne campaign?

• To explore urban development

• To analyze desertification

• To study ocean currents

• To measure ecosystem structures like forest height and carbon storage

Why is Gabon a significant location for the Africasat campaign?

• It is the most populated country in Africa

• It has dense tropical forests that are under-studied

• It is a major desert region

• It has the largest urban areas in Africa

What role does Susan Sachi play in the Gabon fieldwork?

• She leads the biodiversity research team

• She manages the satellite operations

• She collects ground data to validate airborne measurements

• She pilots the aircraft

What environmental conditions are highlighted in the Gabon rainforest?

• Arid and windy

• Hot and humid with abundant water and sunshine

• Snowy and icy

• Cold and dry

What is one of NASA's main interests in the Forstar campaign?

• To study the migration patterns of birds

• To develop new agricultural techniques

• To explore mineral resources

• To balance the global carbon budget