Slope correction for LAI estimation from gap fraction measurements

Digital hemispherical photography poses specific problems when deriving leaf area index (LAI) over sloping terrain. This study proposes a method to correct from the slope effect. It is based on simple geometrical considerations to account for the path length variation within the canopy for cameras pointing vertically. Simulations over sloping terrain show that gap fraction increases up-slope while decreasing down-slope. As a consequence of this balance between up- and down-slope effects, effective LAI estimates derived from inversion of the Poisson model are marginally affected for low to medium slopes (<25°) and LAI (LAI < 2). However, for larger slopes and LAI values, estimated LAI values may be strongly underestimated. The proposed correction was evaluated over four forested sites located over sloping terrain. Results indicate that in these conditions (LAI between 0.6 up to 3.0, clumped canopies with relatively erectophile leaf distribution), the effect of the slope (between 25° and 36°) was moderate as compared to other potential sources of problems when deriving LAI from gap fraction measurements, including clumping, leaf angle inclination and spatial sampling.