Methods

The FLUχPEC project is organized in four different Work Packages (WP). A brief summary of the main methodological issues covered for each of these WP follows.

• WP1. Ground data collection: spectral measurements (optical, thermal, lidar), eddy covariance and biophysical variables: Ground data collection is a key issue in this project both to understand relations between biophysical parameters, fluxes and radiometric data and also to up-scale  this information from the field to remote sensors.
  • Optical information of the ecosystem components will be acquired using different approaches, ranging from handheld field spectroscopy campaigns (including sun induced fluorescence measurements) to  continuous automated multi-angular acquisitions. These data will provide information about the physiological and biochemical status and productivity of vegetation.
  • Multiangular temperature  measurements of the different components of the ecosystem will be acquired using thermal sensors to estimate the energy fluxes.
  • Terrestrial Lidar Scanner (TLS) will provide accurate information of the ecosystem structure, and its changes along the phenological stages.
  • Biophysical variables of vegetation will be sampled. This data will be used for model calibration and validation.
  • Continuous micrometeorological measurements will quantify the fluxes in the ecosystem.

• WP 2. Models to estimate carbon and water fluxes using spectral data: Physical (Radiative Transfer based) as well as empirical models will be calibrated and validated to estimate carbon an water fluxes from ground observations as a base for later remote estimations.
  • Carbon fluxes will be modeled using different approaches including vegetation spectral indexes and light use efficiency models.
  • Water fluxes will combine optical and thermal information with meteorological information using empirical and physical models.

• WP3. Upscaling ground observations using UAV, airborne and satellite imagery: Spectral information will be acquired from remote sensors at different spatial resolutions, allowing to understand the effects of ecosystem structure across the upscaling.
  • High spatial-spectral resolution imagery will be acquired from UAVs and airborne sensors, allowing to separately observe the different elements of the ecosystem in intensive campaigns.
  • Images with coarser spatial resolution but higher temporal resolution will be acquired from remote platforms providing information in the optical, thermal and also RADAR domains.

• WP 4. Monitoring and analyzing the dynamics of change in water and carbon fluxes through proximal and remote sensing: Information generated in previous WPs will allow analyzing the fluxes dynamics and its estimates at different temporal scales
  • Daily: Using the continuous optical, thermal and micrometeorological systems, and high temporal resolution imagery.
  • Seasonally: Using periodical field campaigns and imagery acquired at different scales.
  • Historically: Using EC and satellite imagery time series.