detailed 3d maps and representations. in the reserve, lidar is being employed in two ways, from aircraft to create topological maps, and from hand—held scanners to build better 3d models of a particular site or structure. the process of beaming lasers from aircraft, the largest survey, is the initiative of the foundation for mayan cultural and natural heritage. it's amazing. probably a pre—classic structure. it's massive. this is one of the bigger temples of tikal. what is lidar, exactly? what makes it such a great tool? it really strips off the forest canopy with billions of laser beams that map individually, each return, every time they