Field spectroradiometer suite for in-situ characterization of plants, soils and peats, and calibration of optical sensors and satellite observations

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Satellite remote sensing provides a unique observation on the dynamic changes occurring on Earth surface and is one of the most powerful tools to study large scale areas and make findings which cannot be done by modeling or field observations. With the maturation of satellite technology, recent advances in satellite remote sensing provide narrow band satellite sensors that were launched in the last decade and several to be launched in the coming few years. In comparison with traditional satellite imaging, a narrow band satellite sensor is a more advanced technique that is capable of acquiring a detailed spectral response of target features. Yes, the potential of narrow band satellite sensors are yet to be fully explored for environmental and global change studies. To properly calibrate and validate new satellite sensors and their products, one needs comparable ground spectral measurements that can only be collected by a FIELD SPECTRORADIOMETER SUITE. The FIELD SPECTRORADIOMETER SUITE measures spectral reflectance between 400nm and 2500nm in narrow band and interval in situ and ex situ. The primary purposes of the requested FIELD SPECTRODIAMETER SUITE are: (1) to collect and build peat spectral database for Hudson Bay peatlands, (2) to facilitate the design and development of in-house optical in situ sensors for photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) measurement, drone-based platform and for rapid assessment of carbon content in peat soils in collaboration with McMaster's photonics lab, and (3) to develop hypothesis regarding the impact of heatwave and moisture stress on plant CO2 uptake in field stations and greenhouse settings in order to upscale to narrow band satellite sensor footprints. The requested equipment will be a much-needed expansion to McMaster University's capability in remote sensing, and will facilitate ground-truth data collection, in-house optical sensor development that will lead to commercial products, and on-site Highly Qualified Personnel training on optical data collection and close-range remote sensing techniques.