Natural and Stress-induced Effects on Leaf Spectral Reflectance in Ontario Species

📖 The Scoop

This study explores some of the biological factors influencing leaf-based spectral reflectance and attempts to answer three questions: whether Ontario plant species can be satisfactorily distinguished by their leaf spectra; whether spectral properties can be used to identify physiological strain in plants before visual symptoms appear; and how strongly do factors, other than species & stress, affect spectral properties. Experiments are described which examined 44 species (including conifers, deciduous trees & shrubs, moss, lichens, and wetland plants) for species effects. Eleven indices reported in the literature were tested as potential early indicators of strain, including the photochemical reflectance index and normalized difference vegetation indices. The findings are relevant for efforts to develop monitoring tools at remote scales to aid in forest management.

Genre: Nature / Plants / Trees (fancy, right?)