Why do plants have leaves?
Photosynthesis
Light Energy + 6CO 2 + 6H 2 O ---> C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O2
Plant Cell
Chloroplast
Why Do Plants Have Leaves?
Stems have a lot of tissue volume that needs
energy to support metabolic activities
Stems have very little surface area
Leaves add surface area but very little
additional interior to support
Cacti
Succulent Plants
Why Are Leaves Different Thickness?
Sun leaves
Shade leaves
Stomata
Stomata
Stomata
Adaptation for Protection From Ozone
Why Do Some Leaves Have Trichome?
Sycamore Leaf
Phototropic
Spectral Signature for Pine Needles
100%
Spectral Signature for Pine Needles
Percent Reflectance
100%
80%
Percent Reflectance
80%
60%
60%
40%
20%
40%
0%
400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Wavelength (nm)
20%
0%
400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Wavelength (nm)
Light
Electromagnetic Spectrum
The ALTA Reflectance Spectrometer
Remote Sensor Imaging
4
6
7 1
5
2
3
Post Lab Discussion….
Spectral Signature
Mature & Young Leaves
Young
100%
Leaf
Percent Reflectance
80%
60% Mature
Leaf
40%
20%
0%
400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Wavelength (nm)