Boreal forest albedo and LAI in SNORTEX 2008–2010

Abstract

Airborne broadband albedo and leaf area index (LAI) measurements were carried out simultaneously in the subarctic area of Sodankylä during the SNORTEX campaign in springs 2008 - 2010. Two pairs of pyranometers were attached to the helicopter on either side and a wide-optics camera was looking orthogonally downwards for LAI retrieval. The albedo depended on the LAI according to a previously developed model. The measurement altitude did not affect the albedo vs. LAI relationship. The winter time albedo value of snow varied in a wide range both seasonally and diurnally. The albedo values of open areas could also differ from each other distinctly during the same day depending on the land cover class.