Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2012, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (1): 55-62.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1258.2012.00055

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Comparisons of three models for vegetation canopy bi-directional reflectance distribution function

YU Ying1, FAN Wen-Yi1,*(), YANG Xi-Guang2   

  1. 1School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
    2Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
  • Received:2011-06-28 Accepted:2011-11-07 Online:2012-06-28 Published:2012-01-05
  • Contact: FAN Wen-Yi

Abstract:

Aims With the development of quantitative remote sensing technology, multiple bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) models have been developed to describe reflectance of forest canopies. Our objective is to compare the DART, 4SCALE and MGEOSAIL models for greater understanding their proper use.
Methods We used the BRDF models to simulate reflectance of the scene with different canopy densities at various observation angles in red and near-infrared bands and compared the results to analyze model applicability and limitations.
Important findings The MGEOSAIL model is suitable to simulate the scene reflectance with low canopy density and large trees, and the hotspot is obvious. The DART and 4SCALE models are accurate and suitable to simulate the scene reflectance with various kinds of canopy density. Also, the scene reflectance simulated by 4SCALE is higher than DART’s simulated first-order scattering value, but lower than DART’s fifth-order scattering value. All three models show the “bowl” shape in the near-infrared band.

Key words: bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF), DART model, MGEOSAIL model, 4SCALE model