Grassland Leaf Spectral Reflectance and Transmittance Measurements

NASA's SE-590 Leaf Level Spectral Observations dataset contains in-situ measurements of leaf optical properties for three dominant grassland species across three sites. Data includes average spectral reflectance and transmittance, with standard deviations, for wavelengths from 400 to 1050 nm at approximately 3 nm intervals. Measurements were taken in late July and early August 1989 using a Spectron SE590 spectroradiometer coupled with a LI-COR integrating sphere.

Use Cases

• Calibrating canopy radiation absorption models using species-specific reflectance and transmittance spectra.
• Validating satellite or airborne remote sensing data with ground-measured leaf optical properties.
• Studying spectral differences between grass species (Big Bluestem, Indiangrass, Switchgrass, Lovegrass, Dropseed).
• Analyzing variation in optical properties between adaxial (top) and abaxial (bottom) leaf surfaces.
• Investigating the contribution of individual leaf optics to overall canopy reflectance for grassland ecosystems.

Strengths

• Data includes standard deviations, providing a measure of variability for the averaged optical properties.
• Spectral resolution is high, with measurements taken at approximately 3 nm intervals across a 650 nm range (400-1050 nm).
• Measurements are detailed, covering both reflectance and transmittance for the top and bottom sides of 4-10 leaves per sample.

Limitations

• Exact row count, file size, and complete column names are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date: Data.gov lists 2026-03-12, while NASA Earthdata lists 1989-08 07.
• Data is from a single, brief collection period (late July to early August 1989), limiting temporal analysis.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Acquired in situ with a Spectron SE590 spectroradiometer fitted with a 1-degree IFOV lens, coupled with a LI-COR integrating sphere.

Time Range

1989-07 to 1989-08

Freshness

1989-08-07 23:59:59.999000

Geography

Three FIFE sites: 916, 906, and 26.