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

Authors:
  • NSN. J. Smith
    N. J. Smith
  • JCJ. M. Chen
    J. M. Chen
  • TBT. A. Black
    T. A. Black
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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 (m2) 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.