Recent Advances in Satellite Data and In-Situ Measurements of Chlorophyll Fluorescence

Dear Colleagues,

Chlorophyll fluorescence (f_chl) is a critical indicator of the photosynthetic process in plants, directly reflecting their efficiency in utilizing light energy. The f_chl spectrum primarily occurs in the wavelength ranges of 680-740 nm, and these signals can be accurately measured by satellite or in situ methods, typically induced by solar light or artificial lasers. During photosynthesis, not all absorbed light energy is used for the purpose of synthesizing organic materials by chlorophyll; some energy is lost as heat, while another portion is released as fluorescence. This makes f_chl a valuable tool offering deeper and more direct physiological insights compared to the reflectance spectrum that can be influenced by leaf structure, surface characteristics, and external environmental conditions. But it is noteworthy that the analyses of the f_chl combined reflectance spectrum can yield a more comprehensive understanding of plant health. For instance, chlorophyll fluorescence can reveal changes in time in photosynthetic capacity under stress conditions (such as drought or pest damage), while the reflectance spectrum can provide a broader perspective on overall plant growth. This integration supports the development of early warning systems in agricultural production and plays a vital role in ecological monitoring and climate change research.

This Special Issue invites contributions of methods, technologies, and products related to f_chl, including the use of satellite data and in situ measurements for retrieving vegetation parameters, monitoring carbon–nitrogen cycles, and estimating global climate changes, among others. We also welcome discussions on the processing and applications of f_chl data in contexts such as drought management, smart city initiatives, and ecological remediation in vulnerable areas (e.g., mining sites, disaster-hit regions). Additionally, we encourage submissions focused on the design of related hardware and retrieval algorithms for in situ, airborne, and space-based sensors that collect f_chl data. Approaches that involve data fusion and assimilation, including the integration of reflectance spectra for innovative applications and achieving higher temporal and spatial resolution in f_chl data, are also encouraged. In summary, for this Special Issue, we invite submissions exploring cutting-edge research and recent advances in satellite data and in situ measurements of f_chl.

Both theoretical and experimental studies are welcome to be submitted, as well as comprehensive review and survey papers. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Radiative transfer modeling of f_chl at red to NIR band at the leaf and canopy levels;

(2) Technology of f_chl data collection by satellite and in situ measurement, induced by solar light and artificial lasers;

(3) The application of the f_chl spectrum in series fields, such as the environment, agriculture, forests, and so on;

(4) Theory of f_chl and reflectance signal combination for practical applications.

Dr. Lin Du
Guest Editor

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• chlorophyll fluorescence
• f_chl retrieval methods
• radiative transfer models
• vegetation stress conditions