Introduction to fraction of absorbed par by canopy chlorophyll (fAPARchl) and canopy leaf water content derived from hyperion, simulated HyspIRI and MODIS images

Fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) absorbed by canopy chlorophyll (fAPAR_chl) is different from fraction of PAR absorbed by the whole canopy (fAPAR_canopy, i.e., FPAR). The concept, algorithm and product of fAPAR_chl, and the product of leaf water content (LWC) are new to the remote sensing community and ecosystem scientists. In this paper, we introduce fAPAR_chl and LWC and provide examples. Different from vegetation indices, both fAPAR_chl and LWC provide unique quantitative vegetation physiological information. They can be utilized in carbon cycle studies, land-atmosphere interaction research, land cover and land use studies, terrestrial ecosystems, forestry and agricultural studies.