What is albedo a measure of?

Albedo is a measure of an object's ability to reflect sunlight. Specifically, it quantifies the proportion of solar radiation that is reflected off a surface, typically expressed as a percentage. Surfaces with high albedo, such as ice or fresh snow, reflect most of the sunlight that hits them, while surfaces with low albedo, such as asphalt or dense vegetation, absorb more solar energy. This property plays a significant role in climate dynamics and energy balance on Earth, influencing temperature and weather patterns. Understanding albedo is crucial in fields like climatology, environmental science, and landscape architecture, as it affects heat retention and microclimates in various environments.