Albedo is a measure of the reflectivity of a surface, expressed as the ratio of reflected radiation from the surface to the incident radiation upon it. In geology, albedo is important in studying Earth’s climate, as surfaces with high albedo (such as ice and snow) reflect most of the solar energy, while those with low albedo (such as forests and oceans) absorb more energy. Albedo effects are crucial in understanding climate change and energy balance on Earth.
Reference: Trenberth, K. E., & Fasullo, J. T. (2010). “Earth’s Global Energy Budget.” Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 91(3), 311-324.