Photosynthetic light use efficiency from satellite sensors: From global to Mediterranean vegetation

• We review the recent advances on promising approaches for remotely estimating LUE.
• No operational estimation of LUE is currently available for satellite data.
• The photochemical reflectance index (PRI) shows good agreement with ecosystemic LUE.
• The chlorophyll fluorescence correlates with GPP.
• New satellite sensors will provide promising LUE estimates in Mediterranean vegetation.

Recent advances in remote-sensing techniques for light use efficiency (LUE) are providing new possibilities for monitoring carbon uptake by terrestrial vegetation (gross primary production, GPP), in particular for Mediterranean vegetation types. This article reviews the state of the art of two of the most promising approaches for remotely estimating LUE: the use of the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) and the exploitation of the passive chlorophyll fluorescence signal. The theoretical and technical issues that remain before these methods can be implemented for the operational global production of LUE from forthcoming hyperspectral satellite data are identified for future research.