Transmission properties of an oak canopy in relation to photoperception

Abstract

Abstract The spectra of incoming daylight and shadelight in a mature oak woodland were measured at intervals during the canopy cycle, and mean transmittance spectra were derived. Transmittance was spectrally neutral at ca. 0.55 during the light phase but, following leaf emergence, transmittance of PAR (400–700 nm) fell to ca. 0.1. Simultaneously, the red : far‐red transmittance ratio fell to circa 0.6. Both showed little change during the summer and autumn until senescence, indicating that the optical properties of the canopy were surprisingly stable. There was no evidence that cloud cover influenced mean canopy transmittance, although transient sunflecks introduced great variability which, in combination with sampling bias, might explain previous contradictory reports. The red : far‐red fluence rate ratio in the woodland showed a temporary increase in late summer, a result of a small increase in the red : far‐red ratio of incoming daylight during this period. Reflectance and transmittance spectra and pigment content of sun and shade leaves were measured. Leaf transmittance spectra showed changes correlated with those of the canopy, and were related to changes in pigment content.