Leaf Area Index Data, Calperum Mallee SuperSite, 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 (DCP) was carried out at the Calperum Mallee SuperSite Core 1 ha.

叶面积指数（Leaf Area Index, LAI）可定义为单位地面面积上的叶片组织单侧总面积，是与水分与光照截获、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木冠层垂直投影所遮蔽的地面比例，上述两类指标均可作为实际冠层叶面积的替代表征。叶面积指数是植被覆盖评估的首选指标，同时也是总生物量估算及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码摄影技术，二者分别称为数码冠层覆盖摄影（Digital Cover Photography, DCP）与数码半球摄影（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叶面积指数测量。研究团队在卡尔佩鲁灌丛超级监测点核心1公顷样地中开展了数码冠层覆盖摄影（DCP）工作。