The POINTR project leverages innovative fusion of LiDAR point cloud data and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to uncover new insights into structural changes within northern boreal forests. By tracking these changes and their trajectories over time, the project aims to identify early warning signals of abrupt shifts in permafrost stability—contributing to more effective monitoring of climate-sensitive regions…
Northern boreal forests play a vital role in stabilizing Earth’s climate by storing vast amounts of carbon. However, these forests are under growing threat from climate change, facing rising temperatures, more frequent wildfires, pest outbreaks, and thawing permafrost. These disturbances risk turning forests from carbon sinks into carbon sources—releasing stored carbon and accelerating climate impacts. The POINTR project investigates how forest structure is changing over time in response to these threats and how such changes can serve as early warning signals for permafrost instability, biodiversity loss, and shifts in ecosystem health.
To do this, POINTR combines over a decade of high-resolution radar data from the TanDEM-X satellite with precise LiDAR measurements and forest inventory data. This powerful fusion allows scientists to detect even subtle changes in 3D forest structure—such as leaning trees, deadwood, or reduced canopy height—across large, remote areas. The goal is to better understand how these ecosystems are evolving, assess their carbon storage potential, and develop tools for early detection of ecological tipping points. The results will be made available through an interactive web platform, enabling researchers, policymakers, and communities to explore and respond to climate-driven changes in boreal landscapes.
