Modeling Radiative Transfer through Forest Canopies: Implications for Canopy Photosynthesis and Remote Sensing

Abstract

In order to describe the radiative transfer inside a forest canopy theoretically, information must be obtained on the following basic geometrical and optical characteristics: the geometrical cross section of foliage elements, three-dimensional distribution of their area volume density and the phase function. In coniferous trees and stands, it is reasonable to consider one-year-old shoots main foliage elements. Theoretical problems related to the determination of optical parameters in the hierarchical levels of needle, shoot, crown and canopy are discussed and a few examples demonstrating the structural and optical complexities of forest communities are presented. A brief description of the basic components of a new forest ecosystem radiation model and some examples of the results obtained are given.