What does the albedo effect measure?

The albedo effect specifically measures the ability of a surface to reflect sunlight. Different surfaces have varying albedo values, with lighter surfaces, like ice and snow, reflecting more sunlight compared to darker surfaces, such as forests or oceans, which absorb more sunlight. This concept is crucial in understanding climate dynamics, as areas with high albedo can help cool the Earth by reflecting solar radiation back into space, while areas with low albedo can contribute to warming by absorbing more heat. This effect plays a significant role in climate change, particularly as changes in land use and ice cover can alter the Earth's overall albedo and thus impact global temperatures.