CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE - A REVIEW OF ITS PRACTICAL FORESTRY APPLICATIONS AND INSTRUMENTATION

The practical utility of chlorophyll fluorescence to forestry applicat ions is reviewed. Major subjects include a review of past applications , sampling protocols, important fluorescence features, and instrumenta tion. Applications including the study of various stress effects, seas onal effects, and comparative sun/shade leaf physiology are provided. Chlorophyll fluorescence has been used mainly in applied research, rat her than directly in operational forestry, but work has begun in this area. Sampling protocols include the selection and treatment of sample s before assessment, and control of environmental conditions during as sessment. Instrumentation is evaluated based on accuracy, versatility, ease of operation, and cost. Chlorophyll fluorescence ranks high amon g stress detection tests in forestry applications, because it is rapid , reliable, non-destructive, quantitative, diagnostic, and the physiol ogical basis of the assessment is understood.