SLOP: A revised version of the stochastic model for leaf optical properties

SLOP (stochastic model for leaf optical properties) is a revised version of the stochastic model for leaf optical properties. It calculates the reflec tion, transmission, and absorption of light by leaves in the spectral regio n from 400 nm up to 2.5 mu m. The model treats the radiative transfer of di ffuse light as transitions of light with weighted probabilities according t o the theory of homogeneous Markov chains. The leaves are divided in severa l compartments analogous to the well-known leaf structure. As the specific absorption coefficients of chlorophylls are one of the main parameters of t he model, special attention has been paid to derive the specific absorption spectra of chlorophyll: a and b in vivo. A com parison of modeled with mea sured leaf spectra from the LOPEX campaign shows good agreement. With this model also, the reflectance both of the zipper and lo rc;er side of a dicot yledon leaf was calculated rc;with the sa same parameters, demonstrating th e typical differences observed by measurements. (C) Elsevier Science Inc., 1999.