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Band center The central wavelength of a wavelength interval, both of which
define a spectral band.
Band collinearity The degree of linear correlation between spectral bands.
Band-depth analysis characterizing the intensity of reflectance at an absorption
feature of a particular spectral region, usually in comparison with the reflectance
at the shoulders of the absorption feature or reflectance in the absence of the
feature. See also continuum removal.
Basal area refers to the cross-sectional area of tree stems in a given sampling
area. Typically, stem diameters are measured at breast height (dbh), approximately 1.3 m from the ground, and basal area is reported as total stem surface
area per unit land area.
Bathymetry The study of or measurements of underwater depth in oceans, lakes,
or seas.
Bayesian statistical methods based on Bayes theorem in which parameters of a
probability distribution or statistical model are estimated using prior information
about the parameters (priors), observed data, and a model. Posterior probabilities
of the parameters are determined from the prior probability and a likelihood
function based on the model, given the observed data.
Belowground processes processes that occur in the soil, including both biological and physical processes. Biological processes include, for example, microbial
processes and processes conducted or mediated by plant roots and soil invertebrates, such as nutrient uptake, root respiration, root exudation, root growth
and death, microbial respiration, nutrient mineralization and immobilization, litter breakdown and decomposition, nitrification, denitrification, water transport,
solute transport, and cation exchange. Physical processes include, for example,
mineral weathering and bulk flow of water and dissolved nutrients.
Beta diversity The spatial differentiation of biodiversity, the variation in diversity, and composition among sampling units (nondirectional beta diversity) or
along spatial, temporal, or environmental gradients (directional beta diversity).
Bidirectional reflectance The two-directional path (incidence and reflectance)
of photons that interact with a surface and are reflected. See also angular scale.
Bidirectional reflectance distribution function A mathematical description of
surface reflectance patterns consisting of both azimuthal and zenith angle information. In remote sensing of vegetation, this considers both the shape/density of
a canopy and the sun-sensor-target viewing geometry.[Our variables influence
the pattern of light reflected from an opaque surface, including incoming and
outgoing light directions, which are defined in terms of their azimuth and zenith
angle directions.]
Bignones Members of the plant family Bignoniaceae.
Biochemical refers to chemical processes and substances that occur within living
organisms. Biochemicals of interest in plants are typically those related to a particular function, such as carbon fixation, defense, metabolism, stress tolerance,
structural support, or genetic coding.
Bioclimatic variable A climatic variable that is believed to have biological significance and represents temperature or precipitation data derived from interpolated monthly values. Such variables are interpolated across the globe from
Glossary
Band center The central wavelength of a wavelength interval, both of which
define a spectral band.
Band collinearity The degree of linear correlation between spectral bands.
Band-depth analysis characterizing the intensity of reflectance at an absorption
feature of a particular spectral region, usually in comparison with the reflectance
at the shoulders of the absorption feature or reflectance in the absence of the
feature. See also continuum removal.
Basal area refers to the cross-sectional area of tree stems in a given sampling
area. Typically, stem diameters are measured at breast height (dbh), approximately 1.3 m from the ground, and basal area is reported as total stem surface
area per unit land area.
Bathymetry The study of or measurements of underwater depth in oceans, lakes,
or seas.
Bayesian statistical methods based on Bayes theorem in which parameters of a
probability distribution or statistical model are estimated using prior information
about the parameters (priors), observed data, and a model. Posterior probabilities
of the parameters are determined from the prior probability and a likelihood
function based on the model, given the observed data.
Belowground processes processes that occur in the soil, including both biological and physical processes. Biological processes include, for example, microbial
processes and processes conducted or mediated by plant roots and soil invertebrates, such as nutrient uptake, root respiration, root exudation, root growth
and death, microbial respiration, nutrient mineralization and immobilization, litter breakdown and decomposition, nitrification, denitrification, water transport,
solute transport, and cation exchange. Physical processes include, for example,
mineral weathering and bulk flow of water and dissolved nutrients.
Beta diversity The spatial differentiation of biodiversity, the variation in diversity, and composition among sampling units (nondirectional beta diversity) or
along spatial, temporal, or environmental gradients (directional beta diversity).
Bidirectional reflectance The two-directional path (incidence and reflectance)
of photons that interact with a surface and are reflected. See also angular scale.
Bidirectional reflectance distribution function A mathematical description of
surface reflectance patterns consisting of both azimuthal and zenith angle information. In remote sensing of vegetation, this considers both the shape/density of
a canopy and the sun-sensor-target viewing geometry.[Our variables influence
the pattern of light reflected from an opaque surface, including incoming and
outgoing light directions, which are defined in terms of their azimuth and zenith
angle directions.]
Bignones Members of the plant family Bignoniaceae.
Biochemical refers to chemical processes and substances that occur within living
organisms. Biochemicals of interest in plants are typically those related to a particular function, such as carbon fixation, defense, metabolism, stress tolerance,
structural support, or genetic coding.
Bioclimatic variable A climatic variable that is believed to have biological significance and represents temperature or precipitation data derived from interpolated monthly values. Such variables are interpolated across the globe from
Glossary