Aspen Bark Spectral Reflectance Data from BOREAS Field Campaigns

Spectral reflectance data for aspen bark and leaves were collected in a controlled laboratory setting during the BOREAS project. The dataset contains measurements from one to nine trees at three sites, sampled across three Intensive Field Campaigns from May to September 1994. Each sample was scanned multiple times under moistened and air-dried conditions, with reported values representing averaged continuous spectra.

Use Cases

• Calibrating remote sensing algorithms for boreal forest canopy reflectance using controlled lab spectra.
• Studying seasonal variation in bark spectral properties across three distinct sampling periods (IFCs).
• Analyzing the effect of surface moisture on reflectance by comparing scans of moistened versus air-dried bark samples.
• Investigating intra-tree spectral variability using measurements from five specific bark locations (BS, US, BR, BT, BO).

Strengths

• Data collection followed a controlled, replicable protocol with each sample scanned three times and results averaged.
• Samples capture seasonal variation across three Intensive Field Campaigns spanning from May 24 to September 19, 1994.
• Measurements include both moistened and air-dried states for the same bark samples, allowing for direct comparison.

Limitations

• The exact row count, column names, and dataset size are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last update date: one lists 2026-03 13 (likely a metadata refresh), while the original data source lists 1994-09-21.

Provenance

Source

BOREAS TE-08 team, organized by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Collection Method

Bark samples were removed from trees, transported to UNH, and scanned with a spectroradiometer in a lab. Each sample was scanned three times under moist and dry conditions.

Time Range

1994-05-24 to 1994-09-19

Freshness

2026-03-13 12:15:24.682335

Geography

Three sites within the BOREAS Southern Study Area (SSA).