July. August 17Sun sign
Infra-red images, such as this taken
across Echo Point Lookout in the Blue
Mountains, NSW, are critical for assessing
vegetation health. Chlorophyll, the
pigment in plant leaves, absorbs visible
light but reflects light at near infra-red
wavelengths, giving the forest here its
snow-like appearance. Healthy plants
with high chlorophyll levels remove
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
through photosynthesis, which helps
curb the warming of our planet.
As Australia becomes warmer and drier
due to climate change, our vegetation
will be increasingly important in helping
maintain stable global temperatures.
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By Steven Saphore