Assessment of mosses in Antarctica based on remote sensing and chlorophyll fluorescence

Chlorophyll fluorescence refers to the emission of light by chlorophyll molecules when they are excited by absorbed light. Chlorophyll is the pigment responsible for photosynthesis – the process through which plants and other photosynthetic organisms convert light energy into chemical energy. The intensity of chlorophyll fluorescence can vary based on geographical latitude as well as other environmental factors. In Antarctica, where the extreme climatic conditions define the ecosystem, mosses are one of the few land-based organisms that can survive and thrive. The Antarctic Peninsula is especially known for its sparse but resistant vegetation, including several moss species that have adapted to extreme conditions like low temperatures, intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles. These mosses are essential for maintaining the ecological balance in the region and offer important insights into how extreme environments affect plant physiology. This research aims to compare the spectral properties of mosses and lichens, with a focus on differences in their fluorescence intensity on Livingston Island, Antarctica, during the summer season. Field research in Antarctica was carried out in order to validate data obtained from Sentinel 2 MSI satellite images, drone photography, and photogrammetry. A spectrometer was used to analyze the visible spectrum ranging from 380nm to 780nm, corresponding to the spectral ranges utilized by the Sentinel 2 MSI and Sentinel 3 SLSTR satellites. The main research methods involve evaluating chlorophyll fluorescence response and applying various optical indices for remote sensing, including Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), and Moisture Stress Index (MSI). A radar index generated from processing Sentinel 1 data is utilized as well. These methods enable a thorough analysis of photosynthetic activity and plant health in extreme conditions, providing insights into the adaptive mechanisms of mosses in polar environments.