Estimation of Forest Canopy Nitrogen Concentration

Abstract

The ability to detect patterns of carbon assimilation by vegetation is a key component of the North American Carbon Program. Because photosynthetic potential is strongly related to biochemical constituents such as nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations in foliage, the ability to incorporate canopy chemistry into landscape- to regional-scale carbon cycling research represents an important contribution to NACP research goals. Here, we summarize the functional basis for using foliar N as a scalar of C uptake and recommend a practical, field-based approach for canopy N measurement that can be efficiently scaled using currently available remote sensing technology and ecosystem process modeling.