Thermal Imaging and Infrared Sensing in Plant Ecophysiology

This chapter outlines the potential of thermal sensing as a tool for plant ecophysiological studies and provides a summary of the key biophysical equations involved in the use of thermal sensing for the study of plant water relations. Particular emphasis is placed on the precautions that need to be adopted for high precision applications. The use of reference ‘mimic’ surfaces for improved estimation of stomatal conductance and evapotranspiration is outlined, and some of the precautions necessary for accurate work are described. Not only are recent applications reviewed, but some additional opportunities for use of the technique are described.