Leaf Area Index Images, South East Queensland Peri-urban SuperSite, Samford, 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 Cover Photography was carried out at the South East Queensland Peri-urban SuperSite, Samford, Core 1 ha plot on 11 Nov 2014 Leaf Area Index images are available for viewing and download from the TERN SuperSites BioImage Portal http://bioimages.supersites.net.au/data/photopoint/seqp_samford/default

叶面积指数（Leaf Area Index, LAI）可定义为单位土地面积上植物叶片组织的总单面面积，是与水分和光线截留、辐射传输、水碳交换密切相关的关键衍生参数。冠层覆盖度可定义为树冠垂直投影所遮蔽的土地占比，二者可作为实际冠层叶面积的替代指标。叶面积指数是植被覆盖度的优选测量指标，也是总生物量估算及碳循环预测模型中的核心变量。
LAI的间接测量方法包括采用平面或半球面影像的数码摄影技术，分别称为数码冠层覆盖摄影法（Digital Cover Photography, DCP）与数码半球摄影法（Digital Hemispheric Photography, DHP）。各超级监测点（SuperSite）会根据所在地的植被类型选用最适配的方法开展LAI测量。
2014年11月11日，研究人员于昆士兰州东南部城郊超级监测点的萨姆福德核心1公顷样地开展了数码冠层覆盖摄影。
叶面积指数相关影像可通过TERN超级监测点生物影像门户（TERN SuperSites BioImage Portal）http://bioimages.supersites.net.au/data/photopoint/seqp_samford/default 进行查看与下载。