Reflectance characteristic of certain mangrove species at Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Malaysia

Spectral reflectance properties of mangrove plants play an important role in the interpretation and analysis of mangrove species in coastal region. In this study, reflectance of several mangrove species at Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve will be measured and investigated. The four selected mangrove species include Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Acrostichum speciosum and Acrostichum aureum. The reflectance value will be obtained by using a handheld spectroradiometer. The reflectance response of the mangrove species from visible to near infrared wavelength were analyzed with the aid of Viewspec Pro software. In the visible spectrum portion, Acrostichum speciosum recorded the highest reflectance value of 16% amongst the four mangrove species. However, highest reflectance value of 53% was recorded by Rhizophora apiculata in the Near Infra Red (NIR) region. Understanding of reflectance characteristic in different mangrove canopy is crucial and necessary in order to study on the mangrove ecosystem.