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Optical diversity The variation in optical properties, typically measured using
reflectance spectra but can also be measured via spectral indices or other optical
metrics (e.g., NDVI, albedo, or chlorophyll fluorescence). See spectral diversity.
Optical imaging system A passive sensor, including any remote sensing system,
for recording electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range between 0.3 and
3 μm (300–3000 nm). Also known as optical sensor.
Optical properties Spectral or other properties of a surface or biological entity;
typically related to the entity’s absorbing or scattering properties (e.g., leaf
chemical constituents and surface structure) and derived from the pattern of
absorption and scattering of different wavelengths of light but can also include
fluoresced or emitted radiation.
Optical remote sensing Remote sensing technology using optical sensors in the
wavelength range between 0.3 and 3 μm (300–3000 nm).
Optical signals See optical properties.
Optical spectrum The spectrum in the wavelength region between 0.3 and 3 μm
(300–3000 nm). See spectrum.
Optical type A class of organisms (or objects) distinguishable from optical properties, particularly via remote sensing. See also spectral type.
Organic nitrogen A nitrogen compound that has its origin in living material, for
example, as a component of amino acids, which are the building blocks of all
proteins.
Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model of evolution A model of evolution that extends
the Brownian motion model by describing the evolution of a trait being pulled
toward some optimum value.
Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process A process that has stochastic components as well
as an attraction to an optimum.
Orthorectification The correction of image distortions caused by factors such as
sensor tilt, flight altitude, and changes in surface terrain, creating an image that
is geographically registered to surface coordinates irrespective of topographic
variation.
Overall classification accuracy The probability (often expressed as a percentage) that a classification model will correctly classify an unknown sample.
Overyielding Producing more than expected. Refers to the synergistic effects on
plant growth, where mixtures of species yield more biomass than the same set
of species are predicted to yield based on their growth in separate monocultures.
Palisade parenchyma A specialized chloroplast-containing cell or tissue in the
mesophyll of dicotyledonous angiosperms. These cells are typically tightly
packed and elongated perpendicular to the epidermis and located on the adaxial
side of the leaf.
Panchromatic refers to a single band extending across all or most of the visible
bands and, often, part of the near infrared. By collecting light across a wide band,
the energy collected per unit of time is much greater than narrow wavelength
bands can acquire in the same time interval. This allows data to be collected in
smaller pixels with high signal-to-noise characteristics than is possible with narrower bands.
Glossary
Optical diversity The variation in optical properties, typically measured using
reflectance spectra but can also be measured via spectral indices or other optical
metrics (e.g., NDVI, albedo, or chlorophyll fluorescence). See spectral diversity.
Optical imaging system A passive sensor, including any remote sensing system,
for recording electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range between 0.3 and
3 μm (300–3000 nm). Also known as optical sensor.
Optical properties Spectral or other properties of a surface or biological entity;
typically related to the entity’s absorbing or scattering properties (e.g., leaf
chemical constituents and surface structure) and derived from the pattern of
absorption and scattering of different wavelengths of light but can also include
fluoresced or emitted radiation.
Optical remote sensing Remote sensing technology using optical sensors in the
wavelength range between 0.3 and 3 μm (300–3000 nm).
Optical signals See optical properties.
Optical spectrum The spectrum in the wavelength region between 0.3 and 3 μm
(300–3000 nm). See spectrum.
Optical type A class of organisms (or objects) distinguishable from optical properties, particularly via remote sensing. See also spectral type.
Organic nitrogen A nitrogen compound that has its origin in living material, for
example, as a component of amino acids, which are the building blocks of all
proteins.
Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model of evolution A model of evolution that extends
the Brownian motion model by describing the evolution of a trait being pulled
toward some optimum value.
Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process A process that has stochastic components as well
as an attraction to an optimum.
Orthorectification The correction of image distortions caused by factors such as
sensor tilt, flight altitude, and changes in surface terrain, creating an image that
is geographically registered to surface coordinates irrespective of topographic
variation.
Overall classification accuracy The probability (often expressed as a percentage) that a classification model will correctly classify an unknown sample.
Overyielding Producing more than expected. Refers to the synergistic effects on
plant growth, where mixtures of species yield more biomass than the same set
of species are predicted to yield based on their growth in separate monocultures.
Palisade parenchyma A specialized chloroplast-containing cell or tissue in the
mesophyll of dicotyledonous angiosperms. These cells are typically tightly
packed and elongated perpendicular to the epidermis and located on the adaxial
side of the leaf.
Panchromatic refers to a single band extending across all or most of the visible
bands and, often, part of the near infrared. By collecting light across a wide band,
the energy collected per unit of time is much greater than narrow wavelength
bands can acquire in the same time interval. This allows data to be collected in
smaller pixels with high signal-to-noise characteristics than is possible with narrower bands.
Glossary