Changes in Spectral Properties, Chlorophyll Content and Internal Mesophyll Structure of Senescing Populus balsamifera and Populus tremuloides Leaves

Abstract: In this paper we compare leaf traits and spectral reflectance for sunlit andshaded leaves of Populus tremuloides and Populus balsamifera during autumnsenescence using information derived from an Analytical Spectral Devise (ASD) FullRange spectrometer. The modified simple ratio (mSR₇₀₅) and modified normalizeddifference index (mND₇₀₅) were effective in describing changes in chlorophyll contentover this period. Highly significant (P less than 0.01) correlation coefficients were found betweenthe chlorophyll indices (mSR₇₀₅, mND₇₀₅)) and chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll andchlorophyll a/b. Changes in mesophyll structure were better described by the plantsenescence reflectance index (PSRI) than by near-infrared wavebands. Overall, P.balsamifera exhibited lower total chlorophyll and earlier senescence than P. tremuloides.Leaves of P. balsamifera were also thicker, had a higher proportion of intercellular spacein the spongy mesophyll, and higher reflectance at 800 nm. Further research, using largersample sizes over a broader range of sites will extend our understanding of the spectraland temporal dynamics of senescence in P. tremuloides and P. balsamifera and will beparticularly useful if species differences are detectable at the crown level using remotelysensed imagery.