Retrieving seasonal variation in chlorophyll content of overstory and understory sugar maple leaves from leaf-level hyperspectral data

Leaf chlorophyll content is a useful parameter for assessing vegetation physiological status and dominates the spectral signal of leaf and canopy reflectance at visible wavelengths. Using hyperspectral instruments, we quantified leaf chlorophyll content and optical properties for 255 overstory and understory leaf samples through the growing season in a mature sugar maple (Acer saccharum) stand. Strong seasonal and canopy-height-related …