Tag Archive for: Primary production

What is Leaf Area Index (LAI) and why do researchers interchange values with PAR?" LAI can be determined directly by taking a sample of foliage from a plant canopy, measuring the leaf area per sample plot and dividing it by the plot land surface area. LAI is used to predict photosynthetic primary production, evapotranspiration (evaporation and transpiration) and as a reference tool for crop growth.