The Albedo of Selected Subarctic Surfaces

Abstract

Dominant plant communities and exposed earth surfaces of an eastern Canadian subarctic locality are classified and sampled with respect to shortwave radiative albedo. The physiological significance of the albedo variations of the dominant lichen, Cladonia alpestris, with different habitats is discussed. The albedos of the major vegetation types are summarized. Included in the surface classification are sites in various stages of regeneration after disturbance. The results of sampling exposed earth surfaces follow certain predictable patterns in that progression from visual darkness to lightness corresponds to increasing reflectivities. The mean albedo of all natural surfaces near Schefferville, Quebec, is estimated to be 0.166.