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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Advances in the Retrieval and Interpretation of Solar-Induced Vegetation Chlorophyll Fluorescence Using Passive Remote Sensing Techniques

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In the context of the development and implementation of the Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) mission, selected in 2015 by the European Space Agency (ESA) as the 8th Earth Explorer, many recent developments in the field of vegetation chlorophyll fluorescence have taken place in the last years. These advances include new retrieval approaches, more accurate and robust, and a much better understanding of the variability of the signal, facilitating the interpretation of the dynamical changes and the usage of the fluorescence signal in Earth models and applications. Although chlorophyll fluorescence is related to the actual photosynthetic activity of the plants, the link between fluorescence and photosynthesis is not straightforward, and only advanced retrieval methods and usage of proper physical models allow a quantitative exploitation of the spatial, temporal and spectral variability of the fluorescence signal. This paper reviews such recent developments and describes achievements and perspectives from current ongoing research activities.