This paper presents a method in which a mathematical model of the solar radiation regime below the canopy of a tropical rainforest is inverted to estimate the vegetation characteristics (foliar area density, leaf area index, LAI, etc.). Solar radiation measurements (PAR) made in the period from January to aprii 1994 at the Reserva Florestal Ducke (Manaus - AM) were used to test the algorithm which was created and the foliar area vertical distribution from the local vegetation was established.
Solar radiation; inversion models; foliar area; forest