Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest: Leaf Area Index (LAI) Throughfall Plots

Leaf area index (LAI) of the mature deciduous forest adjacent to WS6
at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest is estimated on the basis of leaf
litterfall collections; the raw data for litterfall are posted in the
EDI data package – Fine Litterfall Data at the Hubbard Brook
Experimental Forest, 1992 – present
(https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=knb-lter-hbr&identifier=49).
These plots are designated TF, referring to throughfall chemistry
collections performed at these plots many years ago (Lovett et al.
1996). Leaf litterfall is collected in 0.097 m2 litter traps raised
1.5 m above ground level and is sorted by species. The number of
leaves of each species is counted. The counts are multiplied by the
average area per leaf for each species in each plot to estimate LAI.
Litter traps are located randomly within each of three plots that are
arranged along the elevation gradient within the deciduous forest
zone. These data were gathered as part of the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study
(HBES). The HBES is a collaborative effort at the Hubbard Brook
Experimental Forest, which is operated and maintained by the USDA
Forest Service, Northern Research Station. Gary M. Lovett, Scott S. Nolan, Charles T. Driscoll, and Timothy J.
Fahey. Factors regulating throughfall flux in a New Hampshire forested
landscape. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 26(12): 2134-2144.
https://doi.org/10.1139/x26-242