Overview #
A national airborne LiDAR and RGB orthoimagery campaign commissioned by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) and funded by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The survey covered approximately 16,000 km², from the coastal lowlands through the interior tropical forest. Primary deliverables were a terrain model suite (DTM and DSM), an RGB orthoimagery mosaic, and updated national base-map layers covering transportation, hydrography, and 3D building models. The GLSC also intended to apply the data to subsequent carbon mapping and forestry programs; those analyses were outside the contracted scope.
Region & Ecosystem #
Coverage extended across Guyana’s full latitudinal range — from low-elevation alluvial coastal plains through transitional savanna to dense interior tropical forest typical of the Guiana Highlands. The coastal zone required particular attention to water-body delineation given the flat terrain and extensive drainage infrastructure.
Methods #
Airborne LiDAR and simultaneous RGB imagery were acquired across the full survey area. A photogrammetric ground control point (GCP) campaign supported geometric accuracy, with independent checkpoint assessments conducted against ground control. Point clouds were classified using automated pipelines (LAStools and lidR), and DTM and DSM surfaces were derived from the classified returns. Orthoimage tiles were processed and mosaicked to produce a seamless national coverage product. Transportation and hydrography layers were updated through a combination of feature extraction and manual digitizing in QGIS and ArcGIS. A 3D building model dataset was produced from the point cloud and imagery data. A data review and QC workflow was designed and implemented across all deliverable types, with three technicians performing systematic review under direct supervision.
Outputs #
- DTM and DSM covering ~16,000 km²
- RGB orthoimagery mosaic
- Updated national transportation layer
- Updated national hydrography layer
- 3D building model dataset
- Independent accuracy assessment report
- Inception report, monthly interim progress reports, and final deliverable report
My Role #
Led the business development pursuit that secured the contract. Authored the inception report, all monthly interim reports, and the final deliverable report. Managed aerial and ground field surveys remotely with multiple on-site visits to Georgetown and field sites. Designed and implemented the QC workflow for all data products; oversaw three technicians performing systematic data review. Solicited and evaluated subcontractor proposals for aerial survey and data production; reviewed draft subcontracts and provided recommendations to MLG Legal. Served as the primary client liaison with GLSC and UN FAO officials for status updates and issue resolution throughout the project. Provided capacity-building GIS training to GLSC’s Mapping/GIS Division. Tracked all data product deliveries against contract milestones.