Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 14, 2025
07:41
Modeling the Size Spectrum for Macroinvertebrates and Fishes in Stream Ecosystems
Published on: July 30, 2019
7.6K
Spectral biology across scales in changing environments
Jeannine Cavender-Bares1,2, Jose Eduardo Meireles3, Jesús Pinto-Ledezma1
1Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Ecology
|July 21, 2025
Summary
Spectral biology uses remote sensing tools to understand ecosystem processes across scales. This approach enhances ecological insights for monitoring global change impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Remote Sensing
- Spectral Biology
Background:
- Ecosystem processes require integration across spatial, temporal, and biological scales.
- Rapid global change necessitates advanced ecological monitoring tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- Propose spectral biology as a key tool for ecological insights across scales.
- Highlight advances in spectroscopy, chlorophyll fluorescence, and LiDAR for ecological research.
Main Methods:
- Utilize remote sensing tools (spectroscopy, fluorescence, LiDAR) with in situ measurements.
- Capture ecological and evolutionary processes in changing environments.
- Apply tools across physiological, evolutionary, and macroecological hierarchies.
Main Results:
- Spectral biology can detect plant/ecosystem composition, diversity, structure, and function.
- Identify causes and consequences of environmental stress (disease, drought).
- Monitor ecosystem changes over large spatial extents to assess resistance, recovery, and resilience.
Conclusions:
- Spectral biology offers high potential for advancing ecological understanding and monitoring.
- Discover previously unseen ecological variation and processes.
- Prepare ecology for future computational tools for planetary monitoring.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Speciation Rates
21.4K
Overview
21.4K
02:55The Evidence for Evolution
44.1K
Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
44.1K
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
6.7K
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
6.7K
01:02Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview
3.1K
Ultraviolet–visible (UV–visible or UV–Vis) spectroscopy is an analytical technique that investigates the interaction between matter and UV–Vis light within the electromagnetic spectrum. This method is widely used for its versatility, simplicity, and relatively quick data acquisition, making it valuable for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. When UV–Vis radiation passes through a material, molecules absorb light depending on the energy required for...
3.1K
01:16UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions
1.8K
In Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, the absorption of electromagnetic radiation is used to probe the electronic structure of molecules. This technique provides insights into molecular electronic transitions, particularly the movement of electrons between different molecular orbitals. Radiation is absorbed if the energy of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the molecule is precisely equal to the energy difference between the excited and ground states. During this...
1.8K
01:16Spectrophotometry: Introduction
3.5K
Spectrophotometry is the quantitative measurement of the absorption, reflection, diffraction, or transmission of electromagnetic radiation through a material as a function of the intensity and wavelength of the radiation. A spectrophotometer is a device used to measure the change in the radiation intensity caused by its interaction with the material.
The essential components of a spectrophotometer include a source of electromagnetic radiation, a slot for placing a material to be analyzed, and a...
The essential components of a spectrophotometer include a source of electromagnetic radiation, a slot for placing a material to be analyzed, and a...
3.5K