Radiative transfer in three dimensional leaf canopies

Abstract

The governing equation of transfer, cross sections, and a modified discrete ordinates method for numerical solution of the transfer equation for a three dimensional leaf canopy are formulated. Models for the total interaction and scattering cross sections are proposed, and preliminary transport calculations are reported. Convergence acceleration of the iteration on the scattering source using the coarse mesh rebalancing method and convergence criteria are discussed. The extent of flux distortions such as negative and oscillatory fluxes, ray effects, etc. is assessed, and their implications for optical radiometric remote sensing is discussed.