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Effects of clumping on estimates of stand leaf...
Journal article

Effects of clumping on estimates of stand leaf area index using the LI-COR LAI-2000

Abstract

Eighteen natural second-growth stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) from a wide range of stand densities and stocking levels were measured for stand leaf area index (LAI) from allometric relationships (direct LAI) and the LI-COR LAI-2000 plant canopy analyzer (indirect LAI). LAI was based on one-half total leaf area (m 2 ) per square metre of ground surface area, normal to any slope. The LAI-2000 underestimated direct LAI by 62%. The underestimate of LAI was due to the confinement of needles within branches (74%) and nonrandom branch distribution (26%). In effect, the branches behaved like big leaves. The LAI-2000 can be used to estimate LAI across a variety of stand density and stocking levels by using a single stand clumping factor of 2.63.

Authors

Smith NJ; Chen JM; Black TA

Journal

Canadian Journal of Forest Research, Vol. 23, No. 9, pp. 1940–1943

Publisher

Canadian Science Publishing

Publication Date

September 1, 1993

DOI

10.1139/x93-244

ISSN

0045-5067

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