Mapping the Wild: LiDAR and 3D Printing in Ecology

This exhibit demonstrates how cutting-edge LiDAR technology allows researchers to construct sophisticated digital twins of forest ecosystems. From the massive canopies of Harvard Forest to the complex underground networks of coastal mangroves, these virtual replicas provide a high-fidelity archive for ecological analysis. Visitors can bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds by engaging with interactive 3D-printed models and exploring the advanced surveying techniques used to map these environmental digital twins with absolute precision.