Plant ecophysiologists have always focused on detailed observations of how plant structure and function vary in response to environment. The intensive nature of the methods we use often impedes our ability to carry out comprehensive studies among species across space and time. In turn, this has limited our ability to test theory, inform models, and act on decision-making. What approaches can we bring to bear to overcome such challenges?
By combining methods ranging from crowd sourcing sample collection to novel satellite remote sensing products, it is now increasingly possible to ask ecophysiological questions at unprecedented spatial and temporal scales. In particular, I explore new data from ECOSTRESS, a NASA satellite remote sensing mission that provides global observations of plant canopy temperature, water use, and water use efficiency at 70 m spatial resolution on sub daily timescales.
Results/Conclusions
The results demonstrate that we can accurately and precisely describe many aspects of both plant structure and function from space. The applications are endless. For instance, using this data, I generate estimates of plant water transit time (i.e. the age, since time of entry, of water leaving a plant), which can serve as a novel measure of how plants mediate the return of water from the ground to the atmosphere. I also show the relative contributions of plant structure as compared to plant function in driving the observed patterns. With these new approaches comes an increasing premium on the standardization of methods that will allow for appropriate comparisons to be made. Nevertheless, the suite of emerging approaches has the potential to transform plant ecophysiology and I conclude by discussing how this may affect what it means to train the next generation of ecophysiologists.