AUTHOR=Buma Willibroad , Abelev Andrei , Merrick Trina TITLE=Vegetation spectra as an integrated measure to explain underlying soil characteristics: a review of recent advances JOURNAL=Frontiers in Environmental Science VOLUME=12 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1430818 DOI=10.3389/fenvs.2024.1430818 ISSN=2296-665X ABSTRACT=

Grassland ecosystems play a critical role in global carbon cycling and environmental health. Understanding the intricate link between grassland vegetation traits and underlying soil properties is crucial for effective ecosystem monitoring and management. This review paper examines advancements in utilizing Radiative Transfer Models (RTMs) and hyperspectral remote sensing to bridge this knowledge gap. We explore the potential of vegetation spectra as an integrated measure of soil characteristics, acknowledging the value of other remote sensing sources. Our focus is on studies leveraging hyperspectral data from proximal and airborne sensors, while discussing the impact of spatial scale on trait retrieval accuracy. Finally, we explore how advancements in global satellite remote sensing contribute to vegetation trait detection. This review concludes by identifying current challenges, outlining future research directions, and highlighting opportunities for improved understanding of the vegetation-soil property interaction.