Abstract
Remote sensing of vegetation function and traits has advanced significantly over the past half-century in the capacity to retrieve useful plant biochemical, physiological and structural quantities across a range of spatial and temporal scales. However, the translation of remote sensing signals into meaningful descriptors of vegetation function and traits is still associated with large uncertainties due to complex interactions between leaf, canopy, and atmospheric mediums, and significant challenges in the treatment of confounding factors in spectrum-trait relations. This editorial provides (1) a background on major advances in the remote sensing of vegetation, (2) a detailed timeline and description of relevant historical and planned satellite missions, and (3) an outline of remaining challenges, upcoming opportunities and key research objectives to be tackled. The introduction sets the stage for thirteen Special Issue papers here that focus on novel approaches for exploiting current and future advancements in remote sensor technologies. The described enhancements in spectral, spatial and temporal resolution and radiometric performance provide exciting opportunities to significantly advance the ability to accurately monitor and model the state and function of vegetation canopies at multiple scales on a timely basis.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-6 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation |
| Volume | 43 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 9 2015 |
Bibliographical note
KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01Acknowledgements: RH acknowledges funding support from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). JBF contributed from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); government sponsorship acknowledged. Support was provided by NASA Carbon Cycle Science, Terrestrial Hydrology Program, and Earth Ventures Instruments, and by JPL Research & Technology Development. AS activities are funded by the University of Twente, Faculty of ITC.