Functional characterization of ecosystems using remote sensing

Abstract

Paruelo, J.M. (2008). Functional characterization of ecosystems using remote sensing. Ecosistemas 17(3):4-22.

Functional  characterization  of  ecosystems  using  remote  sensing:  Over  the  last  decades,  remote  sensors  provided  a  valuable  service  to ecologists. The most frequent use of this tool has been the structural characterization of landscape. Generally visual interpretation of images and digital classification have been the most common approaches. In these cases, a surface attribute (for example, a type of land cover) is related to a certain spectral behavior (reflectance values or terrestrial surface emissions in different wave lengths) without knowing the linking mechanisms. Even though this use of remote sensing allowed important advances in ecology, it seems to be below its full potential. Among the different alternatives that would allow a more efficient use the information generated by remote sensors on board satellites, this article emphasizes on the description of bio-physical processes at the ecosystem level from the information registered by the sensors. For that purpose, the link between the data registered by the sensors on board terrestrial observation satellites and two functional processes of the ecosystem: primary productivity and evapotranspiration, is being discussed.