Measuring photosynthetic parameters at a distance: laser induced fluorescence transient (LIFT) method for remote measurements of photosynthesis in terrestrial vegetation

Abstract

We have developed a laser induced fluorescence transient (LIFT) technique and instrumentation to remotely measure photosynthetic properties in terrestrial vegetation at a distance of up to 50 m. The LIFT method uses a 665 nm laser to project a collimated, 100 mm diameter excitation beam onto leaves of the targeted plant. Fluorescence emission at 690 nm is collected by a 250 mm reflective telescope and processed in real time to calculate the efficiency of photosynthetic light utilization, quantum efficiency of PS II, and the kinetics of photosynthetic electron transport. Operating with peak excitation power of 125 W m-2, and duty cycle of 10-50%, the instrument conforms to laser safety regulations. The LIFT instrument is controlled via an Internet connection, allowing it to operate from remote locations or platforms. Here we describe the theoretical basis of the LIFT methodology, and demonstrate its applications in remote measurements of photosynthetic properties in the canopy of cottonwood and oak trees, and in the rosette of Arabidopsis mutants.

The use of remote sensing in light use efficiency based models of gross primary production: A review of current status and future requirements

“…Active fluorescence measurements use laser pulses to manipulate the level of photosynthetic activity and to measure the corresponding changes in the chlorophyll fluorescence yield (e.g. Kolber et al, 2005). These pulse-modulated measuring systems, probe the yield of chlorophyll fluorescence under steady-state illumination (Fs) and during a short saturating flash delivered at close range (1-100 mm), and have been successfully used for measuring photosynthesis (Adams et al, 1999;Rascher et al, 2000).…”

“…These pulse-modulated measuring systems, probe the yield of chlorophyll fluorescence under steady-state illumination (Fs) and during a short saturating flash delivered at close range (1-100 mm), and have been successfully used for measuring photosynthesis (Adams et al, 1999;Rascher et al, 2000). However, their application is mostly restricted to individual leaves in accessible canopies (Ananyev et al, 2005), with a few notable exceptions (e.g. Cecchi et al, 1994).…”

Canopy conundrums: building on the Biosphere 2 experience to scale measurements of inner and outer canopy photoprotection from the leaf to the landscape

“…1c), reconstructed (Li et al 2002) with lower and higher capacity respectively, for NPQ through controlled expression the DpH sensing PsbS protein (rearranged from Rascher et al 2007). Whole-canopy NPQ values were remotely sensed on the same population of mutants using LIFT (Mk 2) after 10 min exposure to 1200 mmol photons m -2 s -1 (recalculated from Kolber et al 2005). (c) PRI image of forest canopies near the Hyytiälä Field Station, Finland, during the 76 year record heat wave in summer 2010, reconstructed from geometrically and atmospherically corrected Hyperion satellite data using wavebands 528 nm and 569 nm by G. Drolet and C. J.…”

“…Moreover, in the poplar forest leaf, root and system level responses relevant to potential carbon sequestration at different [CO 2 ] (Barron- were differentiated using stable isotopes (Trueman and Gonzalez-Meler 2005). New methods for remote sensing of chlorophyll fluorescence were invented Kolber et al 2005) that, with spectral reflectance (Nichol et al 2006;Rascher et al 2007), revealed several unexpected photosynthetic responses in the forest canopies, as discussed below.…”

Spectral Remote Sensing of the Responses of Soybean Plants to Environmental Stresses

“…Lately, an eye-safe outdoor laser-induced fluorescence transient (LIFT) fluorometer has been constructed. This device is able to measure the fluorescence parameters and nonphotochemical quenching or electron transport rate from a distance of about 30-50 m Kolber et al, 2005). A new generation active field fluorescence instrument, developed by Raimondi et al (2007), was successfully employed in summer 2007 during the joint CarboEurope, FLEX, and Sentinel-2 ESA mission campaign.…”