Allometry and evaluation of in situ optical LAI determination in Scots pine: a case study in Belgium

We evaluated several optical methods for in situ estimation of leaf area index (LAI) in a Belgian Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) stand. The results obtained were compared with LAI determined from allometric relationships established in the same stand. We found high correlations between branch cross-sectional area, diameter at breast height (DBH) and basal area as dependent variables, and leaf mass, needle area and crown projection as independent variables. We then compared LAI estimated by allometry with LAI determined by three optical methods (LAI-2000, TRAC and digital hemispherical photo... Mehr ...