Application of a three-dimensional radiative transfer model to retrieve the species composition of a mixed forest stand from canopy reflected radiation

Abstract

The paper introduces a three-dimensional model to derive the spatial patterns of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) reflected and absorbed by a non-uniform forest canopy with a multi-species structure, as well as a model algorithm application to retrieve forest canopy composition from reflected PAR measured along some trajectory above the forest stand. This radiative transfer model is based on steady-state transport equations, initially suggested by Ross, and considers the radiative transfer as a function of the structure of individual trees and forest canopy, optical properties of photosynthesizing and non-photosynthesizing parts of the different tree species, soil reflection, and the ratio of incoming direct and diffuse solar radiation. Numerical experiments showed that reflected solar radiation of a typical mixed forest stand consisting of coniferous and deciduous tree species was strongly governed by canopy structure, soil properties and sun elevation. The suggested algorithm based on the developed model allows for retrieving the proportion of different tree species in a mixed forest stand from measured canopy reflection coefficients. The method accuracy strictly depends on the number of points for canopy reflection measurements.