ABSTRACT
This chapter proposes a satellite-based methodology for inferring deficiencies in photosynthetic capacity of terrestrial vegetation at continental and regional scales. Satellite remote sensing can be used to quantify the photosynthetic capacity of the terrestrial surface. The ability to use satellite data to detect drought conditions is based on the spectral manifestation of reduced photosynthetic capacity, which is associated with precipitation shortfalls. Vegetation intercepted photosynthetically active radiation can be estimated from polar-orbiting meteorological satellite data. Green plant canopies are highly absorptive of incident visible region radiation as a consequence of plant pigment absorption, and they are highly reflective of near-infrared radiation as a result of scattering and no absorption. Reductions from average conditions provide the means to substantiate the occurrence of drought.
