Dead tree branches move with humidity changes, laser scans reveal

Dead tree branches are not static; they rise and fall as humidity changes throughout the day, according to a study by geoinformatics researchers at Heidelberg University in cooperation with the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (FGI). Using laser scanning, the team tracked subtle movements in dead branches, revealing that they respond to moisture in the air even without leaves or living tissue. This discovery matters because it shows that dead wood plays a dynamic role in forest ecosystems and can affect how we measure forest structure and biomass with remote sensing. Understanding these movements could improve the accuracy of laser-based forest monitoring, which is crucial for carbon accounting and climate research. The findings also highlight the value of international collaboration in geoinformatics. As forests face increasing stress from climate change, such insights will help scientists better assess tree health and deadwood dynamics across the globe.