Leaf Optical Properties

Abstract

Radiant energy intercepted by a vegetative canopy is primarily scattered by leaves either away from the leaf surface or to the leaf interior. The scattered radiation is reflected, transmitted, or absorbed by leaves. Many studies have been performed to develop an understanding of leaf reflectance and transmittance mechanisms. The partitioning of radiation as reflected, transmitted, or absorbed energy depends on a number of factors including leaf cellular structure (Gates et al. 1965; Knipling 1970; Woolley 1971), leaf pubescence and roughness (Gausman 1977), leaf morphology and physiology (Gausman et al. 1969a, b; Gausman and Allen 1973; Gausman et al. 1971a), and leaf surface characteristics (Breece and Holmes 1971; Grant 1985).