Leaf Area Index Images, Far North Queensland Rainforest SuperSite, Daintree Rainforest Observatory, Cape Tribulation, Core 1 ha, 2014

Leaf area index (LAI) can be defined as the total one sided area of leaf tissue per unit area of ground and is a key derived parameter that is associated with water and light interception, radiation transfer, water and carbon exchange. Canopy cover can be defined as the fraction of ground shaded by the vertical projection of tree crowns. These measures may be used as proxies for actual canopy leaf area. Leaf area index is the preferred measure of cover for vegetation and is a key variable used in total biomass estimation and in carbon cycling prediction models. Indirect measures of LAI include digital photographic methods using flat or hemispherical images, referred to respectively as Digital Cover Photography (DCP) and Digital Hemispheric Photography (DHP). LAI measurements are carried out at each SuperSite using the most appropriate method for the vegetation type present. Digital Hemispheric Photography (DHP)was carried out at the Far North Queensland Rainforest SuperSite, Daintree Rainforest Observatory, Cape Tribulation, Core 1 Ha on 18 Sept 2014. Leaf Area Index images are available for viewing and download from the TERN SuperSites BioImage Portal http://bioimages.supersites.net.au/data/lai/fnqr_daintree/capetrib叶面积指数（Leaf Area Index，LAI）可定义为单位地面面积上植物叶片组织的单侧总表面积，是关联水分与光照截获、辐射传输以及水碳交换的关键衍生参数。冠层覆盖度可定义为树冠垂直投影所遮蔽的地面占比。上述两类指标均可作为实际冠层叶面积的替代表征参数。叶面积指数是植被覆盖评估的优选指标，同时也是总生物量估算与碳循环预测模型中的核心变量。 叶面积指数的间接测量方法包括采用平面或半球影像的数字摄影技术，二者分别称为数字覆盖摄影（Digital Cover Photography，DCP）与数字半球摄影（Digital Hemispheric Photography，DHP）。 研究人员会针对各超级站点（SuperSite）的植被类型，采用最适配的方法开展叶面积指数测量。 2014年9月18日，研究团队于昆士兰州北部雨林超级站点、戴恩雨林观测站、苦难角1公顷核心样地开展了数字半球摄影工作。 叶面积指数影像可通过TERN超级站点生物影像门户（http://bioimages.supersites.net.au/data/lai/fnqr_daintree/capetrib）进行查看与下载。