Soil Biodiversity from Above: Remote Sensing Finds Relationship Between Forest Structure and Microbial Diversity

Abstract

Biodiversity is declining in many regions of the world. Scientists know more about the diversity of aboveground organisms (like trees, plants, and animals) because they are easier to detect and measure than belowground organisms (like bacteria and fungi). Estimating belowground biodiversity usually involves extracting and sequencing DNA from soil, an expensive process that provides information about a small area of land. Forest restoration efforts would benefit from techniques that provide belowground biodiversity data for large areas of land. In a recent study, researchers explored whether using remote aerial sensing of forest structure could estimate belowground biodiversity.

Citation

Zukswert, Jenna; Lang, Ashley; Domke, Grant. 2024. Soil Biodiversity from Above: Remote Sensing Finds Relationship Between Forest Structure and Microbial Diversity. Rooted in Research Issue 42, November 2024. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 2 p.