Summary
This review identifies and assesses 48 Earth observation instruments across 13 platforms launched or planned for launch in the 2010s, focusing on passive optical and thermal sensors with free and open data policies. The paper demonstrates how contemporary satellite technology now enables detailed monitoring of ecosystem structure and function—including plant physiological processes and soil biogeochemical properties—at scales from local plots to global coverage, substantially advancing on historical sensor capabilities.
Regional applicability
The paper is a global technical review of satellite instrument capabilities and data availability under open-access policies. Findings on instrument capabilities and data accessibility apply universally to United Kingdom users and ecological researchers, though practical applicability depends on matching specific research questions to appropriate sensors and local validation of remote-sensing derived products in UK conditions.
Key measures
Satellite instrument capabilities for measuring: land cover, plant traits (LMA, LAI, nitrogen content), physiological indicators (chlorophyll fluorescence, canopy temperature), photosynthetic pigments, water content, cellulose, lignin, soil properties (iron, clay types, organic matter)
Outcomes reported
The paper reviewed 48 instruments across 13 platforms with capabilities for measuring terrestrial ecosystem characteristics, plant physiological properties, and soil biogeochemical contents at multiple spatial scales. New satellite sensors enable quantification of plant traits (leaf mass area, nitrogen content, leaf area index), physiological processes (photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration), and soil properties (organic matter, clay type, iron content) with improved spatial and spectral resolution.
Supporting research
Exact full primary review covers earth-observation capabilities for soil organic matter/clay/iron and plant water/nitrogen, with48instruments on13platforms.
Limits: Supporting remote-sensing method synthesis; sensor capabilities and spectral proxies are not independently validated crop/soil causal effects. Publication2021 despite2020 in DOI.
Topic tags
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