Application of spectral diversity in plant diversity monitoring and assessment

Abstract

Spectral diversity is a biodiversity dimension based on electromagnetic radiation spectrum reflected by plant, showing the variation of spectral reflective ratio in different bands among interspecific and intraspecific plant individuals. Spectral diversity has become an important technique for plant diversity monitoring and assessment since the differences of spectral reflectance can comprehensively indicate the differences of biochemical components and morphological and structural characteristics among plants. Here we introduce the concept of spectral diversity and its ecological significance, compare the technical advantages and disadvantages among multiple sources and platforms producing spectral data, summarize the monitoring and evaluation methodologies of plant diversity based on the applications of spectral diversity, and discuss the ability of spectral diversity to integrate different biodiversity dimensions and the prospect of the application of spectral diversity in biodiversity research. Spectral diversity will serve the monitoring and assessment of plant diversity at multiple spatial scales, especially combined with near-ground remote sensing based on unmanned aerial vehicle technology, can achieve fine-scale monitoring and assessment of plant diversity, and thus has broad application prospects in biodiversity conservation and management.