Near‐infrared spectroscopy aids ecological restoration by classifying variation of taxonomy and phenology of a native shrub

Abstract

Plant communities are composed of complex phenotypes that not only differ among taxonomic groups and habitats but also change over time within a species. Restoration projects (e.g. translocations and reseeding) can introduce new functional variation in plants, which further diversifies phenotypes and complicates our ability to identify locally adaptive phenotypes for future restoration. Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) offers one approach to detect the chemical phenotypes that differentiate plant species, populations, and phenological states of individual plants over time. We use sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) as a case study to test the accuracy by which NIRS can classify variation within taxonomy and phenology of a plant that is extensively managed and restored. Our results demonstrated that NIRS can accurately classify species of sagebrush within a study site (75–96%), populations of sagebrush within a subspecies (99%), annual phenology within a population (>99%), and seasonal phenology within individual plants (>97%). Low classification accuracy by NIRS in some sites may reflect heterogeneity associated with natural hybridization, translocation of nonlocal seed sources from past restoration, or complex gene‐by‐environment interactions. Advances in our ability to detect and interpret spectral signals from plants may improve both the selection of seed sources for targeted conservation and the capacity to monitor long‐term changes in vegetation.

Will Sustainable Food Sovereignty Research Be Sustainable in the Future?

“…But new developments in entomological radar make it possible for sensors to track and control the number and activity of insects by using wingbeat frequency, color, and the ratio of the wing to body [84]. Near-infrared spectroscopy can currently detect sagebrush at the species (75% -96%) and subspecies (99%) levels, which has significant ramifications for monitoring vegetative remotely over larger areas and more extended periods [85].…”

Precision Agroecology

“…However, recent developments in entomological lidar have made it possible to remotely monitor insect populations and activity using sensors to assess insect wingbeat frequency, color and wing to body ratio [94]. In addition, near-infrared spectroscopy can now accurately identify sagebrush up to the species (75-96%) and subspecies (99%) level, with vast implications for remotely monitoring vegetation at larger spatial and temporal scales [95].…”

Countermeasures for Ecological Environment Restoration of Pumped Storage Power Stations in Northern Stone Mountain Areas

“…On this basis, different governance methods need to be adopted according to the characteristics of different ecological environments, such as zoning governance in the surrounding areas of the reservoir, and repairing different biological species and ecological environments. During the construction process, timely ecological restoration is necessary to minimize damage to the ecological environment [2][3]. Special attention should be paid to the coordination and cooperation with local governments, village committees, environmental protection departments, and other parties in the construction of pumped storage power stations and the restoration of the ecological environment, in order to jointly promote the restoration of the ecological environment.…”