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Parameter Tree: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > SNOW/ICE > ALBEDO Definition: Albedo is the ratio of the radiation (radiant energy or luminous energy) reflected by a surface to that incident on it. Snow and cloud surfaces have a high albedo, because most of the energy of the visible solar spectrum is reflected. Vegetation and ocean surfaces have low albedo, because they absorb a large fraction of the energy. Clouds are the chief cause of variations in the Earth's albedo. Reference: Maunder, W.J. 1994. Dictionary of Global Climate Change, 2nd ed. Chapman and Hall, NY. WMO, 1966. International Meteorological Vocabulary, WMO/OMM/BMO - No. 182 TP. 91, Switzerland. |
