Leaf area index in a forested mountain catchment

Abstract

Leaf area index (LAI) belongs among the catchment characteristics widely used in hydrological models but still associated with great uncertainties. In a mountain forest catchment, the leaf area affects retention and evapotranspiration loss, and it could be significantly modified by forestry practices. In this study, LAI in mature stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) was analysed in headwater catchments of the Jizera Mountains (Czech Republic) between 2012 and 2016. A comparison evaluation of LAI in harvested site with dominant herbaceous vegetation was taken into account by applying direct ground investigation what was compared with hemispherical canopy photography (Gap light analyser GLA-V2) and satellite remote sensing (Sentinel-2 mission). While the direct ground measurement includes only the foliage (leaves or needles), the Gap light analysis is affected by trunks and branches, and the remote sensing techniques by herbaceous understory. The results of the Gap light analyser underestimated the ground based LAI values by 52-76 per cent, and satellite interpretations by 29-73 per cent. The remote sensing is capable to provide effective information on the distribution of LAI within the time and space. However, in a catchment scale, the satellite detection underestimated average LAI values approx. by 42-62 per cent. Changes in the observed rainfall interception reflected well the LAI variation.

Small Scale Rainfall Partitioning in a European Beech Forest Ecosystem Reveals Heterogeneity of Leaf Area Index and Its Connectivity to Hydro-and Atmosphere

“…et al [31] reported 0.51 l•m −2 LAI in highly structured mixed forests in Taiwan, Li, X. et al [106] found 0.24-0.33 l•m −2 LAI for species of the generas of Acer and Quercus, Weber, Y. et al [33] found 0.15 l•m −2 LAI for broadleaved trees and 0.2 l•m −2 LAI for coniferous trees. Palán, L. et al [93] reported 0.25 l•m −2 LAI for beech, which is very close to the result of our study (0.26 l•m −2 ).…”

“…The same applies for other common species such as Scots pine and oak. Comparable estimates of LAI for pure beech stands were reported in [18] with LAI between 7 and 9 m 2 •m −2 , in [92] with a LAI of 6.4 in non-fruiting years and 4.5 fruiting years, in [19] with 6, in [43] with an average LAI of 7.4 (minimum: 5.6, maximum: 9.5) as well as in [93] with LAI of 5.6. Depending on spatial stand structure, Ahrends, B. et al [94] reported LAI values in the range of 0 to 12 while [3] reported values between 5.8-13.3 m 2 •m −2 .…”

“…The SC canopy of leafed beech stands derived in this study correspond very well with those from other studies (0.6-4.0 mm; discussed in [39]). In contrast, Palán, L. et al [93] reported SC canopy of 1.4 mm in dense and old beech stands. Gerrits, A.M.J.…”

Spatial-temporal forest canopy density in Indonesia’s new capital city and its surrounding area

“…Remote sensing can provide adequate information on the distribution of LAI in space and time. However, satellite detection underestimates the average Leaf Area Index (LAI) value by 42-62 percent [16].…”

Environmental Role of Snowmelt in Headwaters Affected by Atmospheric Acid Deposition

“…The vegetation canopy in the investigated catchment was analysed by satellite data supported by ground observations [41]. Basic forest parameters (tree species, age, basal area, tree height, timber volume, and horizontal canopy density) were evaluated by standard techniques [42].…”