Leaf Area Index Images, South East Queensland Peri-urban SuperSite, Samford, Core 1 ha, 2016

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 Jan 19, 31 May, 23 Aug, 15 Nov 2016. 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）可定义为单位地面面积上的植物叶片组织总单面面积，是与水分与光线截获、辐射传输、水碳交换紧密相关的关键衍生参数。冠层覆盖度可定义为林木树冠垂直投影所遮蔽的地面占比。上述两项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度的优选度量指标，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摄影（Digital Cover Photography, DCP）与数码半球摄影（Digital Hemispheric Photography, DHP）。各超级监测样地（SuperSite）均会针对当地植被类型选用适配的最优方法开展叶面积指数测量工作。
研究团队于2016年1月19日、5月31日、8月23日及11月15日，在昆士兰州东南部城郊超级监测样地萨姆福德核心1公顷样地开展了数码冠层摄影工作。叶面积指数影像可通过TERN超级监测样地生物影像门户（http://bioimages.supersites.net.au/data/photopoint/seqp_samford/default）进行查看与下载。