Intra and interspecific spectral variability of Campo Rupestre plant species

We assessed variability in leaf reflectance for individuals of eight sympatric campo rupestre species having a high degree of phenotypic plasticity. From each selected species, three individuals were sampled from different microhabitats, to account for intra-specific variability. Spectroscopy measurements were acquired between 350-2500nm, using an ASD FieldSpec Standard spectroradiometer, for all leaves of three sampled branches from each individual. We show that spectral reflectance is able to differentiate among campo rupestre species; among individuals within the same genus; and among species of the same family. We did not find, however, that spectral similarity was associated with phylogenetic similarity among the studied species. Our results highlight the potential of leaf spectroscopy to identify species from the megadiverse and endangered campo rupestre vegetation.