xbrdfandcanopyreflectancemodelling.docVIP

X BRDF and canopy reflectance modelling In section XX the directional nature of the radiation field reflected from most natural surfaces was introduced, and sensors designed to exploit such reflectance anisotropy were discussed. As has been established (in this thesis) directional effects cannot be ignored in remotely sensed observations. They may be removed if undesirable, for example in comparisons of observations made at different times of day or from different viewing angles (Roujean et al., 1992; Cihlar et al., 1994), or they may be exploited as a source of information regarding surface structure (Hapke, 1981; Gerstl, 1990; Pinty and Verstraete, 1991). This chapter is intended to provide a theoretical framework for studying surface reflectance characteristics in addition to reviewing the specific area of interest of this thesis: canopy reflectance modelling. X.1 Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function – the BRDF It is relevant now to provide a more formal definition of surface scattered reflectance in order to better understand the problems associated with its measurement and analysis. In order to allow quantitative statements regarding the reflectance of any surface to be made, various definitions are required regarding the system under observation. The bidirectional reflectance of the Earth’s surface, that is, the surface reflectance as a function of viewing and illumination direction, is described by the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) (Nicodemus, 1970; Hapke, 1981). The BRDF of a surface (at a particular wavelength and polarisation of illuminating radiance) is defined as the ratio of the incremental radiance leaving a surface through a solid angle in the direction ( (usually the viewing direction) to the incremental irradiance from direction (’ (the illumination direction) (Nicodemus, 1970) i.e. where dLe is the incremental radiance exitant from a surface (Wm-2sr-1nm-1); dEi is the incremental incident irradiance (W