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Results:

 

    The initial analysis was only for the visible spectrum. The selected sites were processed with the m-file Temp_Albedo_Processor.m and the statistical data gathered from each was compiled into excel spreadsheet (see downloads). Here are examples of the finished plots. The complete collection can be found in the download section.

 

--  Visible Broadband Spectrum  --

composite graph An example graph made for each site with median values plotted in a red line, mean values in blue, and the blue error bars showing the annual variability of albedo (difference between 95th and 5th percentiles).
Albedo Median

A composite graph of the median albedo in the visible spectrum. Sites are split into deciduous (red) and evergreen (green) forest cover.

 
Albedo Variation A composite graph of the albedo variation (difference between 95th and 5th) in the visible spectrum.  Sites are split into deciduous (red) and evergreen (green) forest cover.
Albedo Variation Mean A composite graph of the albedo variation of mean values (difference between 95th and 5th) in the visible spectrum.  Sites are split into deciduous (red) and evergreen (green) forest cover.
Albedo Variation Median A composite graph of the albedo variation of median values (difference between 95th and 5th) in the visible spectrum.  Sites are split into deciduous (red) and evergreen (green) forest cover.

Characteristics of the graphs for the visible spectrum:

•The annual median albedo is consistently higher for deciduous trees than evergreen. 
•There is no clear trend with the variation of annual range of homogenous cover (perhaps because of too much noise with measurements).
•The range the median and the mean of blue sky albedo are higher for deciduous trees than evergreen. 
•The values for median and mean of blue sky albedo seem skewed high for 2003, perhaps because there was a hole in the measurements taken, and data was only taken during times of higher seasonal albedo.

 

 

--  Shortwave Broadband Spectrum  --

Albedo Median

The annual median shortwave albedo of the selected sites with sites that are deciduous in red and evergreen in green.
Albedo Range

The annual shortwave albedo variation (difference between 95th percentile and 5th percentile) separated into deciduous (red) and evergreen (green).
Albedo Variation of Mean

The annual shortwave albedo variation of the mean of homogenous forest sites separated into deciduous (red) and evergreen (green).
Albedo variation of median

The annual shortwave albedo median of homogenous forest sites separated into deciduous (red) and evergreen (green).

Characteristics of the graphs for the shortwave spectrum:

•The annual median albedo is in general higher for deciduous trees than evergreen. 
•There is no clear trend with the annual range albedo variation of homogenous (perhaps because of too much noise with measurements).
•The range of the median and the mean of blue sky albedo is higher for deciduous trees than evergreen. 
•The values for median and mean of blue sky albedo seem skewed high for 2003, perhaps because there was a whole in the measurements taken, and data was only taken during higher seasonal albedo.

 

 

--  Near Infrared Broadband Spectrum  --

Albedo Median

The annual median near infrared albedo of the selected sites with sites that are deciduous in red and evergreen in green.
Albedo Range

The annual near infrared albedo variation (difference between 95th percentile and 5th percentile) separated into deciduous (red) and evergreen (green).
Albedo variation of mean

The annual near infrared albedo variation of the mean of homogenous forest sites separated into deciduous (red) and evergreen (green).
Albedo variation of median

The annual near infrared albedo median of homogenous forest sites separated into deciduous (red) and evergreen (green).

Characteristics of the graphs for the near infrared spectrum:

•There is not clear trend with respect to deciduous versus evergreen forest cover types with the annual median albedo. 
•There is no clear trend with the annual albedo variation of homogenous (perhaps because of too much noise with measurements).
•There is no clear trend with the variation of the median and the mean of blue sky albedo

 

  An analysis of the results is found in the discussion section.