Experimental development of a gated UV-induced spectroscopic lidar for the daytime study of plant ecology and photosynthesis: multi-modal measurement of fluorescence of trees growing in a field and Mie–Raman–fluorescence of the surrounding atmosphere

Abstract

A gated UV-induced spectroscopic lidar operational during daylight was developed to better understand the plant growth status in real time and the influence from the surrounding atmosphere chemical environment. Initial indoor experiments and short-range (100 m) field measurements were very positive. The lidar worked as a vegetation fluorescence lidar, as well as an atmospheric Mie–Raman–fluorescence lidar. A UV (355 nm) laser was effective to induce fluorescence and Raman scattering, and a synchronous detection technique made it possible to detect weak signals, even in daytime. Tree spectra containing chlorophyll fluorescence of tree leaves offered information about the growth status of trees. Atmospheric spectra containing aerosol Mie scattering, N2, O2, H2O Raman scattering, and pollutant fluorescence helped us to learn about atmospheric circumstances surrounding trees. The multi-modal information is useful for comprehensive understanding of plant ecology.