Only in the most basic sense. The signal output from the 237-L can only be interpreted as an indication of the presence of a conductive material bridging the two electrodes on its surface. If the circuit is open (infinite resistance or zero conductance), there is no conductive material. If the circuit is closed, there is conductive material.
The primary use of the 237-L is to indicate the presence of free water on the surface of surrounding objects. The thermal characteristics of the 237-L are probably different from those of any surrounding objects, including leaves. Consequently, the 237-L will dry at a rate different from surrounding objects, including leaves. Data from the 237-L are only interchangeable from measurement site to measurement site if the following are true:
Plant disease researchers found that if a 237-L sensor was placed in a plant canopy at a consistent position, with a consistent coating of a spreading material on its surface (that is, paint), they could estimate when free water was in the plant canopy. From this discovery, they were able to formulate disease emergence models. The resulting models tolerate significant deviation in moisture-presence data. Even so, use of a different spreading material, or difference in sensor positioning, may invalidate the data.