Leaf area index (LAI)
A)is calculated by counting the number of leaves in a forest canopy.
B)is lowest for leaves held perpendicular to the sun's rays.
C)is the primary influence on the attenuation of light in terrestrial environments.
D)is the same regardless of season.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Leaf area index (LAI) is the ratio of total leaf area to the ground area covered by those leaves. It is the primary influence on the attenuation (reduction in intensity) of light in terrestrial environments. A high LAI indicates a dense canopy, which absorbs and scatters more light, while a low LAI indicates an open canopy, which allows more light to penetrate through. LAI varies with season and can be measured through remote sensing techniques.

Leaf Area Index (LAI)