Remote sensing and spectroscopy of lichens

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Remote Sensing
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Lichens, symbiotic associations of fungi and algae/cyanobacteria, thrive in extreme terrestrial environments where vegetation struggles.
• Their distinct spectral properties and visible growth surfaces enable detection via remote sensing.
• This is the first systematic review focusing on the remote sensing of lichens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and summarize existing research on the remote sensing of lichens.
• To identify lichen species, habitats, geographical regions, and technologies employed in lichen remote sensing.
• To categorize the diverse applications of lichen remote sensing.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of remote sensing and spectroscopic studies involving lichens.
• Analysis of reported lichen species, habitats, geographical locations, and sensing technologies.
• Categorization of studies into thematic areas of application.

Main Results:

• Spectra from over 70 lichen species have been measured in laboratory or in situ conditions.
• Remote sensing of lichens is applied across seven main themes: species quantification, pollution monitoring, geological mapping, dryland monitoring, animal habitat assessment, land cover mapping, and surface energy budget modeling.
• The review synthesizes a broad range of lichen remote sensing applications and methodologies.

Conclusions:

• Remote sensing is a viable and versatile tool for studying lichens across various ecological and environmental contexts.
• The documented applications highlight the ecological significance of lichens and their utility as indicators in diverse monitoring programs.
• Further research can expand the application of remote sensing for lichen detection and analysis.