ABSTRACT
126Few studies have considered effects of dioecy on plant ecophysiological functioning [1,2], even though a large proportion of species in the tropics are dioecious [1]. Since dioecious plants present separate male and female individuals, maintaining a proper ratio of gender ensures species survival, an important consideration in natural forest management, reforestation, and conservation projects. Nevertheless, it is a characteristic that has often been overlooked. Potentially, remote sensing may provide a set of tools to identify the gender of dioecious tree species, ensuring that male-to-female ratios are maintained when reforesting or during selective logging. Proper ratios must be maintained to ensure the reproduction and the population stability of species [3]. Our chapter aims to explore the spectral expression of dioecy of two neotropical species, Hyeronima alchorneoides and Virola koschnyi, through remote sensing techniques and leaf chemistry analysis.
