Thermal infrared (2.5- to 13.5-µm) directional hemispherical reflectance of leaves

Previous biconical reflectance measurements of 13 different plant species have shown that leaves display spectral signatures in the 8- to 14-??m atmospheric window that vary with species. Directional hemispherical reflectance measurements of six species reported here document the absolute magnitude of such spectral features for the first time. If half of the spectral contrast in leaf spectra is preserved in emittance from a broad-leaf planophile canopy, then at least some broad-leafed species could be mapped remotely by using currently available airborne instrumentation. -Authors