Leaf Area Index Estimation Using Three Distinct Methods in Pure Deciduous Stands

Summary

An accurate estimation of leaf area index (LAI) is crucial for many models of material and energy fluxes within plant ecosystems and between an ecosystem and the atmospheric boundary layer. Therefore, three methods (litter traps, needle technique, and PCA) for taking precise LAI measurements were in the presented protocol.

Abstract

Accurate estimations of leaf area index (LAI), defined as half of the total leaf surface area per unit of horizontal ground surface area, are crucial for describing the vegetation structure in the fields of ecology, forestry, and agriculture. Therefore, procedures of three commercially used methods (litter traps, needle technique, and a plant canopy analyzer) for performing LAI estimation were presented step-by-step. Specific methodological approaches were compared, and their current advantages, controversies, challenges, and future perspectives were discussed in this protocol. Litter traps are usually deemed as the reference level. Both the needle technique and the plant canopy analyzer (e.g., LAI-2000) frequently underestimate LAI values in comparison with the reference. The needle technique is easy to use in deciduous stands where the litter completely decomposes each year (e.g., oak and beech stands). However, calibration based on litter traps or direct destructive methods is necessary. The plant canopy analyzer is a commonly used device for performing LAI estimation in ecology, forestry, and agriculture, but is subject to potential error due to foliage clumping and the contribution of woody elements in the field of view (FOV) of the sensor. Eliminating these potential error sources was discussed. The plant canopy analyzer is a very suitable device for performing LAI estimations at the high spatial level, observing a seasonal LAI dynamic, and for long-term monitoring of LAI.

Introduction

LAI, defined as half of the total leaf surface area per unit of horizontal ground surface area¹, is a key variable used in many bio-geophysical and chemical exchange models focused on carbon and water fluxes^2,3,4. LAI is directly proportional to the active surface of leaves where it drives primary production (photosynthesis), transpiration, energy exchange, and other physiological attributes connected with a range of ecosystem processes in plant communities⁵.

Numerous approaches and instruments for pe....

Protocol

1. LAI estimated using litter traps

1. First, perform a field survey, investigating the site conditions and structure of the studied stands (i.e., inclination and exposition of the slope, forest or vegetation type, forest or vegetation density, homogeneity of the canopy closure, the crown size, and the crown base height).
2. Select a suitable litter trap type for positioning below the canopy by choosing the mesh size of the net based on the size of the assimilation apparatus of the studied stands (i.e., the mesh size has to be smaller than the size of the captured assimilation apparatus), then number and distribute the traps within th....

Results

Average LAI values at the stand level of all studied stands in the 2013 growing season are presented in Figure 8. On all plots except A, the highest values were measured by litter traps, which serve as the reference level. Contrarily, the highest mean LAI value was estimated through the needle technique on plot A. All differences between LAI values estimated using litter traps and a plant canopy analyzer were not significant (p > 0.05; Figure 8, left). On pl.......

Discussion

Litter traps are deemed as one of the most accurate methods for performing LAI estimation⁸, but they are more labor-intensive and time-consuming than the indirect methods^35,64 which were incorporated into this protocol. Within the entire LAI estimation procedure using litter traps, a precise estimation of the SLA is the most critical point¹⁰ because the SLA can vary with plant species⁶⁵, date.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Area Meter	LI-COR Biosciences Inc., NE, USA	LI-3100C	https://www.licor.com/env/products/leaf_area/LI-3100C/
Computer Image Analysis System	Regent Instruments Inc., CA	WinFOLIA	http://www.regentinstruments.com/assets/images_winfolia2/WinFOLIA2018-s.pdf
File Viewer	LI-COR Biosciences Inc., NE, USA	FV2200C Software	https://www.licor.com/env/products/leaf_area/LAI-2200C/software.html
Laboratory oven	Amerex Instruments Inc., CA, USA	CV150	https://www.labcompare.com/4-Drying-Ovens/2887-IncuMax-Convection-Oven-250L/?pda=4|2887_2_0|||
Leaf Image Analysis System	Delta-T Devices, UK	WD3 WinDIAS	https://www.delta-t.co.uk/product/wd3/
Litter traps	Any	NA	See Fig. 2
Needle	Any	NA	Maximum diameter of 2 mm
Plant Canopy Analyser	LI-COR Biosciences Inc., NE, USA	LAI-2000 PCA	LAI-2200 PCA or LAI-2200C as improved versions of LAI-2000 PCA can be used, see: https://www.licor.com/env/products/leaf_area/LAI-2200C/
Portable Laser Leaf Area Meter	CID Bio-Science, WA, USA	CI-202	https://cid-inc.com/plant-science-tools/leaf-area-measurement/ci-202-portable-laser-leaf-area-meter/
Portable Leaf Area Meter	ADC, BioScientic Ltd., UK	AM350	https://www.adc.co.uk/products/am350-portable-leaf-area-meter/
Portable Leaf Area Meter	Bionics Scientific Technogies (P). Ltd., India	BSLM101	http://www.bionicsscientific.com/measuring-meters/leaf-area-index-meter.html
Portable Leaf Area Meter	LI-COR Biosciences Inc., NE, USA	LI-3000C	https://www.licor.com/env/products/leaf_area/LI-3000C/