528
Aichi targets The 20 global biodiversity targets identified in the Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity 2011–2020 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Albedo The reflected incident radiation of a surface, typically reported as the
fraction of reflected incident radiation over the full range of the solar spectrum.
Alpha diversity Diversity within a site or community, calculated based on any
dimension of biodiversity.
Amplicon A fragment of DNA or RNA that is amplified in the laboratory often
using polymerase chain reactions (PCR) or ligase chain reactions (LCR) or naturally via gene duplication.
Analysis ready data (ARD) Remote sensing data products that have been consistently processed to a level required for direct use in monitoring and assessing change. Products are held to high scientific standards and typically involve
derived products such as top of atmosphere reflectance, surface reflectance, and
pixel quality assessment.
Angular scale in optical remote sensing, often defined as the incident and sampling angle of reflected radiation (i.e., the sampling geometry). Sometimes called
directional scale.
Anisotropic reflectance Scattering of photons off a surface in a directional manner due to the structure and optical properties of the surface.
Anthocyanin A type of flavonoid pigment (a family of more than 6000 polyphenolic compounds) that is water-soluble. The colors range from red to blue or
violet, depending on the pH. Anthocyanins can be found in all plant organs. In
leaves they are non-photosynthetic, vacuolar pigments that provide protection
from excess light or herbivory or serve as attractants.
Anthropocene The proposed current geological epoch, categorized by substantial human impact on the world. [Note that as of this writing, the International
Commission on Stratigraphy has not yet finalized approval of this term, but it is
widely accepted by the scientific community.]
Aspect The direction a slope is facing.
Atmosphere The layer of gases, particles, and aerosols surrounding a planet that
is maintained by gravity.
Atmospheric correction The process by which the effects of scattering and
absorption of photons by the atmosphere are accounted for and removed to generate the apparent surface reflectance values of imagery acquired by satellite or
airborne sensors.
Aufeis Accumulations of large masses of ice in many Arctic rivers.
Azimuth angle The angle along the horizon between the sun’s position and north.
Backscatter The electromagnetic signal that is scattered by the target back to the
detector.
BAM diagram A graphical representation of the geographical space for understanding the distribution of species. The diagram is composed of three determinants of species distributions: the biotic niche (B), the abiotic niche (A), and
areas accessible through migration or colonization (M).
Band A defined wavelength interval of electromagnetic radiation, sometimes
determined by passing radiation through a filter or other device. See also “spectral band,” “FWHM.”
Glossary
Aichi targets The 20 global biodiversity targets identified in the Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity 2011–2020 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Albedo The reflected incident radiation of a surface, typically reported as the
fraction of reflected incident radiation over the full range of the solar spectrum.
Alpha diversity Diversity within a site or community, calculated based on any
dimension of biodiversity.
Amplicon A fragment of DNA or RNA that is amplified in the laboratory often
using polymerase chain reactions (PCR) or ligase chain reactions (LCR) or naturally via gene duplication.
Analysis ready data (ARD) Remote sensing data products that have been consistently processed to a level required for direct use in monitoring and assessing change. Products are held to high scientific standards and typically involve
derived products such as top of atmosphere reflectance, surface reflectance, and
pixel quality assessment.
Angular scale in optical remote sensing, often defined as the incident and sampling angle of reflected radiation (i.e., the sampling geometry). Sometimes called
directional scale.
Anisotropic reflectance Scattering of photons off a surface in a directional manner due to the structure and optical properties of the surface.
Anthocyanin A type of flavonoid pigment (a family of more than 6000 polyphenolic compounds) that is water-soluble. The colors range from red to blue or
violet, depending on the pH. Anthocyanins can be found in all plant organs. In
leaves they are non-photosynthetic, vacuolar pigments that provide protection
from excess light or herbivory or serve as attractants.
Anthropocene The proposed current geological epoch, categorized by substantial human impact on the world. [Note that as of this writing, the International
Commission on Stratigraphy has not yet finalized approval of this term, but it is
widely accepted by the scientific community.]
Aspect The direction a slope is facing.
Atmosphere The layer of gases, particles, and aerosols surrounding a planet that
is maintained by gravity.
Atmospheric correction The process by which the effects of scattering and
absorption of photons by the atmosphere are accounted for and removed to generate the apparent surface reflectance values of imagery acquired by satellite or
airborne sensors.
Aufeis Accumulations of large masses of ice in many Arctic rivers.
Azimuth angle The angle along the horizon between the sun’s position and north.
Backscatter The electromagnetic signal that is scattered by the target back to the
detector.
BAM diagram A graphical representation of the geographical space for understanding the distribution of species. The diagram is composed of three determinants of species distributions: the biotic niche (B), the abiotic niche (A), and
areas accessible through migration or colonization (M).
Band A defined wavelength interval of electromagnetic radiation, sometimes
determined by passing radiation through a filter or other device. See also “spectral band,” “FWHM.”
Glossary