A standard design for collecting vegetation reference spectra: Implementation and implications for data sharing

Spectral signatures represent complex physical and biophysical relationships. Consideration and documentation of potential variables affecting these signatures are essential in obtaining meaningful spectra. A lack of standardised procedures and metadata collection has limited the transfer of spectra from one application to another. Here we describe the design and implementation of a standard method for the collection of spectral data and associated metadata. A specific application for revegetation assessment and monitoring is described. The concept of collecting consistent and accurate spectral data while minimising the influence of potential extraneous variation is relevant to field spectrometry in all environments and is particularly important for ecological applications.