NASA HyspIRI Report 2014

We are using the California transects for the ongoing HyspIRI Airborne campaign (Figure 1) to comprehensively assess the potential to make spatially explicit estimates of two important parameters characterizing leaf and canopy photosynthetic capacity: the maximum rate of CO2 carboxylation by RuBisCo (Vcmax), and the maximum rate of electron transport required for the regeneration of RuBP (Jmax). These variables are typically determined using direct, time-consuming leaf-level gas exchange measurements. However, in this project we are applying and refining rapid spectroscopic methods (at the leaf and the canopy scales) that we have been developing (Ainsworth et al., 2013; Serbin et al., 2012; Serbin et al., in prep) to estimate Vcmax and Jmax over broad regions and across vegetation types found in California ecosystems (including managed agricultural lands). It follows that estimation of these variables from remotely sensed hyper spectral+thermal IR data can facilitate a better understanding of the spatial patterns and seasonal characteristics of vegetation carbon assimilation across complex landscapes using similar data to that anticipated with the NASA HyspIRI satellite mission concept. Our research relies on the simultaneous acquisition of hyperspectral and thermal infrared imagery, as estimates of canopy temperature will be crucial for an accurate characterization and scaling of Vcmax and Jmax to allow for broad scale analyses as well as assimilation into ecosystem process models.

Authors: Philip A. Townsend, Shawn P. Serbin, Eric L. Kruger, Ankur R. Desai, Sean DuBois, Andrew Jablonski, Michael L. Goulden

Spectral Evolution is a leading manufacturer of field-portable UV-Vis-NIR remote sensing spectroradiometers and spectrometers for applications including geological remote sensing, ground-truthing, spectral remote sensing, environmental and climate research, crop and soil research, vegetative studies, forestry and canopy studies, radiometric calibration transfer, upwelling and downwelling measurement and more. Our UV-Vis-NIR spectrometers and spectroradiometers provide the best combination of high resolution and high sensitivity resulting in the most precise field portable instruments available on the market.

NaturaSpec UltraSpectral Evolution UV-Vis-NIR spectroradiometers provide:

  • Fast, full-spectrum UV-Vis-NIR measurements – 350-2500 nm with just one scan
  • Superior reliability in the field with 100% diode array optics with no moving parts
  • Wireless Bluetooth® Connection
  • Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries for field use
  • Lightweight and rugged
  • Rugged handheld tablet for field use running DARWin™ LT on Windows 10 with digital camera, and GPS
  • Field switchable optics for varying target sizes and measurement modes

All Spectral Evolution UV-Vis-NIR spectroradiometers include our exclusive DARWin™ SP Data Acquisition and Analysis software for one-touch, full range spectroscopic analysis of samples. DARWin™ SP automatically saves data as ASCII files for use with 3rd party software without post-processing.