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Mat Disney's research interests lie in understanding the use of new observations to comprehend the terrestrial biosphere, particularly trees and forests, carbon cycle, forest function, biodiversity, and environmental change. His work involves measurement models that exploit new Earth observation (EO) data to study the function of the terrestrial environment. Over the past decade, he has focused on utilizing terrestrial lidar scanning (TLS) for detailed 3D measurements of tree biomass and structure. Disney explores the relationship between tree structure and function in natural environments, especially tropical forests, while also valuing urban forests. He has led multiple field campaigns in both tropical and temperate forests to collect TLS data and has developed tools and methods to exploit this data for forest structure measurements and the relationship between structure and photosynthesis. His particular focus includes studying the carbon cycle and disturbances. Disney's methods have been applied to validate EO products and test parameter estimation methods for assessing fire impacts, deforestation, and degradation. His work is recognized by space agencies like ESA and NASA, aiding in new satellite estimates of forest biomass, and has been cited in IPCC practices for national greenhouse gas inventories.
University College London, Dept Geography • London, United Kingdom
Leads research on Earth observation and terrestrial biosphere, focusing on trees and forests.