Abstract.
Light absorbance and reflectance were measured on representative shrubs of two dominant shrub species (Pistacia lentiscus and Juniperus phoenicea) of coastal Mediterranean macchia ecosystems in Sardinia (Italy). An array of 64 calibrated photodiodes was adopted for both calculations of leaf area index (LAI) and canopy transmittance of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR). PAR and NIR reflectance of canopies having similar LAI allowed us to establish the particular optical properties of each species. Lentisk reflected twice as much as juniper in the 700–1,100 spectral region. Water indexes of the two species were also different in relation to leaf water content and red edge amplitude appeared to be related to chlorophyll content. Epidermis and mesophyll structures of both species are shown.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Electronic Publication
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rossi, F., Facini, O., Rotondi, A. et al. Optical properties of juniper and lentisk canopies in a coastal Mediterranean macchia shrubland. Trees 15, 462–471 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-001-0132-8
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-001-0132-8