UAV-based Imaging of Far-red Solar-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence

• Applicant: Dr. Juliane Bendig
• Subject Area: Measurement Systems
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 541028765

This project will advance the development of a camera prototype suitable for drones or Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to measure solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF). SIF is energy emitted by plants that can be quantitatively detected using remote sensing methods. The signal is a direct indicator of the current state of photosynthesis in plants. The measured signal has exciting potential for use in agriculture and forestry, for example, to improve detection of stress, biomass accumulation, and yield prediction. The project objectives are: i) to optimize data acquisition parameters, including flight altitude and signal-to-noise ratio, for vegetation types of with different canopy structure e.g. leaf angle, ii) to generate an efficient data processing chain with emphasis on speed and automation, and iii) to quantify the measurement uncertainty of the system, especially with respect to its use on a UAV e.g. influences of atmospheric composition on the SIF signal. To implement the objectives, UAV flights over various vegetation types and standardized calibration surfaces will provide test data for the above objectives. The results will be summarized as standardised operating procedures, and specific steps for further technical development of the camera prototype will be discussed.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 2433: Metrology on flying platforms
• International Connection: Switzerland
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Zbynek Malenovsky; Dr. Omar Regaieg
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Andreas Hueni