Broad Leaf Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions (BRDFs)

The data relates to a study that captured deciduous broadleaf Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions (BRDFs) from the visible through shortwave-infrared (SWIR) spectral regions (350-2500 nm) and accurately modeled the BRDF for extension to any illumination angle, viewing zenith, or azimuthal angle. Measurements were made from three species of large trees, Norway maple (Acer platanoides), American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and northern red oak (Quercus rubra). We then fit the data through nonlinear regression to physical, microfacet BRDF models. The significance of this work is the implications for forestry remote sensing, as rigorous models to represent leaves allow for the creation of more accurate forest scenes for radiative transfer modeling.