Improving solar-induced fluorescence retrieval from GOME-2 and TROPOMI for long-term vegetation monitoring

Vegetation mitigates climate change by damping atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) buildup. Land-based techniques, such as reforestation, are therefore central to climate strategies. However, how much CO2 is taken up by plants, and for how long, remains highly uncertain. This research uses satellites to observe a faint light emitted by plants during photosynthesis, known as solar-induced fluorescence (SIF). Satellite-based SIF provides a unique direct insight into vegetation activity and photosynthetic carbon uptake worldwide.

This work had two main goals. First, it examined how SIF could be used to assess the effectiveness of land-based climate solutions, demonstrating its ability as a monitoring tool. Second, it improved the satellite measurements itself, making it more robust and consistent over time. This resulted in a long-term climate SIF record from the GOME-2 series and demonstrated potential for application to newer missions, such as TROPOMI. The data are being used to monitor long-term changes in vegetation activity.

Juliëtte C.S. Anema,

the candidate of the PhD defence 'Improving solar-induced fluorescence retrieval from GOME-2 and TROPOMI for long-term vegetation monitoring'.