SGOT: A Simplified Geometric-Optical Model for Crown Scene Components Modeling over Rugged Terrain

Topography affects the fraction of scene components canopy and background, resulting in observed reflectance distortion. Modeling over rugged terrain needs to account for topographic effects. For this purpose, existing models greatly increased mathematical complexity while improving description crown structure, which dramatically decreased computational efficiency so as limit their universal application. In study, we developed a simplified geometric-optical model (SGOT) simulating terrain. The geotropism tree growth was considered make SGOT physically sound. internal structure mathematically simpler. Scene component observations derived from Persistence Vision Ray-tracer (POV-Ray) on surfaces with different normal directions simulations were made using Geometric-Optical Mutual Shadowing Coupled Model (GOMST) Sloping Terrains GOST; combined test model. addition, factors density effect modeling analyzed. results indicated that has good accuracy (R2 areal proportions sunlit (Kc), background (Kg), shaded (Kt), (Kz) are 0.853, 0.857, 0.914, 0.838, respectively) compared POV-Ray simulation, performs better than GOMST, especially scenes high density. Moreover, outperformed (4% faster GOMST 29.5% GOST). Finally, distribution further discussed. GOST can both capture variations caused by but comparatively, provides more efficient tool simulate because its physical soundness simplicity, consequently, it will facilitate mountainous regions.