Reading light: leaf spectra capture fine‐scale diversity of closely related, hybridizing arctic shrubs

What is it about?

Reflectance spectroscopy, or the measurement of light reflected from a surface, is emerging as a powerful tool to detect and monitor biodiversity; however, it remains unclear if spectroscopy can be used to detect the finest scales of diversity, such as diversity within species. We show that light reflected from a leaf surface does indeed carry information that can be used to identify closely related and co-occurring species of dwarf shrubs as well as their populations and their hybrids.

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