Fast analytical two-stream radiative transfer methods for horizontally homogeneous vegetation media

Abstract

This work reports on the two-stream radiative transfer in a horizontally homogeneous turbid vegetation medium assuming bi-Lambertian leaf scattering by planar model leaves. The deduced two-stream radiative transport equations are solved analytically for various leaf architectures considering leaf normal distribution (LND) functions from purely vertical to purely horizontal leaves. These transfer models are driven by radiative energy flux densities (EFDs) incident at the top of the vegetation (TOV) and separated into their diffuse and direct fractions, used as upper boundary conditions. The radiance field is treated as approximately isotropic, but its zenithal distribution can be varied by the so-called diffusivity factor, which allows together with the incident EFDs at TOV to take the sky conditions above the canopy into account. Simulations of the canopy reflectance and transmittance are performed in the UV/VIS as function of the solar zenith angle and the ratio of the direct and diffuse sky light above the canopy representing clear and overcast sky conditions. These computations demonstrate that the radiative transfer in vegetation is significantly influenced by this ratio and the LND of the leaves.