Allometric equations for estimating leaf area index (LAI) of two important tropical species (Tectona grandis and Dendrocalamus strictus)

Abstract

Leaf area index (LAI) of Teak (Tectona grandis) and Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) grown in Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary of Narmada District, Gujarat, India was obtained by destructive sampling, photo-grid method and by litter trap method. An allometric equation (between leaf area by litter trap method and canopy spread area) was developed for the determination of LAI. Results show that LAI value calculated by the developed allometric equation was similar to that estimated by destructive sampling and photo-grid method, with Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.90 and 1.15 for Teak, and 0.38 and 0.46 for Bamboo, respectively. There was a perfect match in both the LAI values (estimated and calculated), indicating the accuracy of the developed equations for both the species. In conclusion, canopy spread is a better and sensitive parameter to estimate leaf area of trees. The developed equations can be used for estimating LAI of Teak and Bamboo in tropics.

Estimation of leaf area index and assessment of its allometric equations in oak forests: Northern Zagros, Iran

“…In most of the previous studies, the correlation between the leaf area and the diameter at breast height was investigated (López-Serrano et al 2000;Turner et al 2000;Law et al 2001;Adl 2007;Arias et al 2007;Pokorný, Tomášková 2007;Calvo-Alvarado et al 2008;Babaei-Kafaki et al 2009), and less attention was devoted to the tree's crown-related parameters (Laubhann et al 2010;Vyas et al 2010). But, with the consideration of specific conditions of our investigated area, which is under traditional management, besides investigating other parameters, we also directed our attention to the crown-related parameters, particularly the crown volume.…”

“…The direct approaches, not commonly used in such studies, are very time-consuming; moreover, for the case of LA estimation, they are expensive and destructive to the sample (Vyas et al 2010). However, in view of the fact that branches and leaves of the oak trees in our study area had been pollarded by local people, we utilized a direct method to estimate LAI.…”

“…Another important aspect of tree researches is the task of figuring out an appropriate allometric relationship between LA and other biophysical parameters of trees such as diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height, crown surface area, and litter mass (Vyas et al 2010 can be used to estimate LAI by having the specific leaf area (SLA) (Gower et al 1999). Many studies have shown a relationship between LAI and these parameters for different species (López-Serrano et al 2000;Turner et al 2000;Tobin et al 2006;Arias et al 2007;Pokorný, Tomášková 2007;Vyas et al 2010). However, allometric equations have rarely been investigated in oak forests so far (Čermák et al 2008;Babaei-Kafaki et al 2009).…”

Assessment of allometric models for leaf area index estimation of Tectona grandis

“…Mostly, the studies for LAI have been carried out in temperate forests (Dufréne & Bréda 1995, Sellin 2000, Temesgen & Weiskittel 2006, Weiskittel & Maguire 2006, Urban et al 2009, and very few for tropical ecosystems (Maass et al 1995, Nascimento et al 2007, Vyas et al 2010. The quantification of LAI is unfortunately, very difficult, due to its spatial and temporal variability (Bréda 2003).…”

“…By using specific leaf area (SLA), allometric equations relating littermass and DBH (diameter at breast height) have been developed for the estimation of LAI (Gower et al 1999). Several studies have also developed allometric models for LAI estimation relating foliage biomass, littermass, DBH, and ground area covered by the canopy (Li et al 2005, Pretzsch & Mette 2008, Vyas et al 2010.…”