2 Ways LiDar Can Help Businesses Adapt to Climate Change

Over the past few decades, climate change has begun to affect the landscape of the earth. As the years progress, the topography of the earth will only change more as water levels rise, reducing the amount of land available in coastal regions.

During this critical time of the earth’s history, it is important to monitor changes in land use and availability. Working with civil engineering consulting groups can help you and your business save money during helping you determine the best location to build a new facility so that it won’t be affected by climate change.

Using technology called light detection and ranging, or LiDAR, civil engineers are capable of accurately surveying a portion of land. Here are two ways LiDAR surveying is used to monitor the impact of climate change on land use and availability.

Flood Simulation Maps

One of the consequences of climate change is stronger and more frequent storms, such as hurricanes, in coastal areas. These storms lead to increased flooding in already flood-prone areas, causing severe property loss, ecological destruction, and even the loss of human lives. For example, over a third of dam failure or near failures from 1874 to present have occurred in the last ten years. Though climate change may seem like an abstract danger, its expensive and dangerous consequences are already being felt.

LiDAR detection systems are capable of creating flood simulation maps, which show the extent of possible flooding in an area and helps communities avoid flood dangers. LiDar techniques assist scientists by creating flood simulation maps through accurately documenting the current topography of a coastal region. The topography is then used in conjunction with current data on climate change to make a projection on where flooding will occur. These maps are extremely useful to businesses and individuals hoping to build near coastal regions, since they provide information on where flooding will be most intense. By avoiding construction in future flood-prone areas, businesses can reduce money wasted and climate-related property destruction.

Vegetation Mapping

One of the most effective uses of LiDAR to combat climate change is its use in vegetation mapping. Civil engineering consulting groups and biologists are able to use LiDAR technology attached to airplanes to detect the tops of trees and other forms of vegetation. Counting trees through the use of LiDAR detection systems creates an accurate estimate of how many plants are in an area. This information provides scientists with an understanding of which regions are being most affected by climate change. Scientists then use this knowledge to push for the protection of these areas. Businesses can benefit from this information by avoiding areas that may be affected by new policy changes, and to reduce their harm on the local habitat.

LiDAR detection is changing the way we analyze climate change. Through the use of this technology, civil engineering consulting groups are better able to direct your business to make forward-thinking growth plans. With LiDar, civil engineers can help your business adapt alongside climate change while simultaneously reducing your company’s overall environmental harm.