BADM Group: LAI

BADM Type: VegCover
Description: Leaf Area Index
Group Entries per Site: Multiple
Last updated: Mar 02, 2021

BADM Group Overview

BADM variables in this group are organized as shown below. The overview highlights what variables are required per group. It also indicates which variables cannot be specified together ( OR ) in the same group entry. See BADM Basics for more details.

Multiple entries of this BADM group can be reported per site. However, combinations of variables must be unique. Read more:

Required Variable
Optional Variable
Combinations
Examples
RequiredOptional
Leaf Area Index
  • LAI
  • LAI_TYPE
  • LAI_CANOPY_TYPE
  • LAI_STATISTIC
  • LAI_DATE
  • OR
  • LAI_DATE_START
  • LAI_DATE_END
  • LAI_SPP
  • OR
  • LAI_VEGTYPE
  • LAI_STATISTIC_METHOD
  • LAI_STATISTIC_NUMBER
  • LAI_CLUMP
  • LAI_METHOD
  • LAI_APPROACH
  • LAI_DATE_UNC
  • LAI_COMMENT
  • BADM variables: Definitions, Units, Requirements

    See Overview tab or BADM Basics for explanation of Required and Optional variables.

    Multiple entries of this BADM group can be reported per site. However, combinations of variables must be unique. Read more:

    Required Variable
    Optional Variable
    Combinations
    Examples
    Variable
    Requirements
    Units Description
    LAI
    Required
    m2 m-2Vegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index
    Leaf Area Index (or other Vegetation Area Index as indicated in LAI_TYPE) at the tower site. Calculated as one half the total leaf area (the one-sided leaf area) per unit ground surface area.
    LAI_TYPE
    Required
    LIST(LAI_TYPE) ShowVegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index type
    Use predefined list to indicate type of Vegetation Area Index. Note that Leaf Area Index is one type of Vegetation Area Index type. See predefined list for definitions.
    LAI_TYPE Options×
    OptionDescription
    LAILeaf Area Index (includes all the leaves)
    PAIPlant Area Index (includes leaves, stems and other parts of the plants)
    GAIGreen Area Index (includes only green leaves)
    LAI_CANOPY_TYPE
    Required
    LIST(LAI_CANOPY_TYPE) ShowVegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index canopy type
    Use predefined list to indicate the type of canopy being described by the LAI measurement. Use Total for non-forest ecosystems. For forest ecosystems, use Total if not reporting separate Overstory and Understory LAI measurements.
    LAI_CANOPY_TYPE Options×
    OptionDescription
    TotalTotal canopy. Use for non-forest ecosystems or for forest ecosystem if not reporting Overstory and Understory measurement.
    OverstoryOverstory canopy
    UnderstoryUnderstory canopy
    LAI_SPP
    Optional-a
    Scientific nameVegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index species (taxa)
    Vegetation species being described by the measurement. To enter a plant species, use the scientific name (Genus species Author or Genus Author). Please refer to www.theplantlist.org for current scientific names and authors. If the measurement includes all vegetation present, do not enter a value. Do not use SPP if reporting VEGTYPE.
    LAI_VEGTYPE
    Optional-a
    LIST(VEGTYPE) ShowVegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index vegetation type
    Use the predefined list to indicate the type of vegetation being described by the measurement (e.g., Grass, Evergreen Tree, Deciduous Tree, etc). If the measurement includes all vegetation present, do not enter a value. If vegetation type is not in predfined list, enter "Other/Not in list" and describe briefly in Approach. Do not use VEGTYPE if reporting SPP.
    VEGTYPE Options×
    OptionDescription
    Grass
    C3 Grass
    C4 Grass
    Grass / GraminoidGrasses, Sedges, Rushes, and other grass-like monocots (member of order Poales)
    Crop
    Herbaceous Crop
    Woody Crop
    Tree
    Deciduous TreeTrees that shed their entire canopy seasonallly. Drought or cold avoidence are common reasons for deciduousness.
    Evergreen TreeTrees that do not seasonally shed their full canopies.
    Shrub
    Herb / Forb
    Annual Herb / Forb
    Perennial Herb / Forb
    Aerenchymatous Plants
    Liana / vine
    SucculantCactus, Euphorbs, including CAM
    Non-vascularMoss, lichen
    Other/Not in listOnly use this option if a major vegetation group is not included already included in the predefined list. If an existing vegetation group is not specific enough, use the existing vegetation option and add details in Approach (rather than using the "Other/Not in list" option).
    No vegetationBare ground, water, or rock. Use only with SPP_PERC_O and SPP_PERC_U
    WaterWater (perennially submerged ground)
    LAI_STATISTIC
    Required
    LIST(STATISTIC) ShowVegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index statistic
    The statistic for the measurement reported. Use predefined list (e.g., mean, min / max, standard deviation, etc).
    STATISTIC Options×
    OptionDescription
    MeanAverage (mean) value of sample population
    Standard DeviationStandard deviation may be reported from a sample population that consists of individual or aggregated samples (observations). If the distinction is important, specify in STATISTIC_METHOD or Comments.
    MinimumMinimum value
    1st PercentileQuantile at 1% of distribution
    5th PercentileQuantile at 5% of distribution
    10th PercentileQuantile at 10% of distribution
    25th PercentileQuantile at 25% of distribution
    Median - 50th PercentileMedian - Quantile at 50% of distribution
    75th PercentileQuantile at 75% of distribution
    90th PercentileQuantile at 90% of distribution
    95th PercentileQuantile at 95% of distribution
    99th PercentileQuantile at 99% of distribution
    MaximumMaximum value
    Single observationSingle observation that is not a calculated statistic of replicates either to get a robust estimate or for spatial variability analysis. For example a single biomass observation may be the vegetation harvested in a single 1 x 1 meter area.
    Measurement UncertaintyReport uncertainty as a plus or minus value in the measurement units. For example, enter 1.5 for +/- 1.5 units. Uncertainty may be reported from the instrument's specifications, determined empirically, or estimated by the tower team. Please describe such details in Approach. For uncertainty values that are better described by a range, a percent, or other, please enter information in Comments.
    LAI_STATISTIC_METHOD
    Optional
    LIST(STATISTIC_METHOD) ShowVegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index statistic method
    Method used to generate the reported statistic (e.g., aggregate of individuals, aggregate of sample aggregates) from observations representing the same time period. Use predefined list. The aggregation method is not meant to describe temporal aggregations for example in calculations of higher frequency observations (e.g., sub-minute) to lower frequency observations (e.g., hourly) at a single location.
    STATISTIC_METHOD Options×
    OptionDescription
    Aggregate of individual observationsThe statistic is aggregated from individual observations located within the site. Observations may be grouped into sample areas (e.g., plots) within the site but those groupings are ignored. Statistics generated from individual observations directly yield information on the site generally. The statistic may represent spatial characteristics of the measurement within the site (e.g., spatial heterogeneity) and/or characteristics due to other factors (e.g., population variability).
    Aggregate of sample aggregatesThe statistic is aggregated from aggregated individual observations located in sample areas within the site. For example, individual observations are made in 5 sample plots within a site. "Aggregate of sample aggregates" is used if a plot statistic (e.g., Mean) is first calculated, and then the plot values are aggregated to calculate the site statistic. Statistics generated by this approach are often used to highlight the spatial characteristics within the site (i.e., the spatial heterogeneity of measurement within the site).
    Expert estimateEstimate made by expert familiar with site
    LAI_STATISTIC_NUMBER
    Optional
    integer numberNumber of observations used to determine Vegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index statistic
    Number of observations (samples / replicates) used to calculate the STATISTIC for the reported measurement.
    LAI_CLUMP
    Optional
    decimal numberFoilage element clumping index for Vegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index measurement
    Foliage element clumping index is used to correct optical data estimates of LAI. Use this variable only if the method specified in LAI_METHOD supports clumping correction. For conifers, use needle clumping within shoot.
    LAI_METHOD
    Optional
    LIST(LAI_METHOD) ShowVegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index methodology
    Method used to quantify the Vegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index. Use predefined list. If method is not present, select "Other" and give additional details in LAI_APPROACH.
    LAI_METHOD Options×
    OptionDescription
    ACCUPARAccUPAR from Decagon Devices
    LitterfallCollection of leaves in litterfall traps
    SUNSCANSunScan from Delta-T Devices
    SPECTRALRelation between spectral reflectance and direct measurements
    Direct
    Hemispherical photoAnalog or digital hemispherical photography (DHP)
    LAI_2000LI-COR LI-2000
    LAI_2200LI-COR LI-2200
    LidarUse LAI_APPROACH to describe details of Lidar method used
    OtherUse LAI_APPROACH to describe the method used
    LAI_APPROACH
    Optional
    free textVegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index measurement approach
    Report additional details used to quanity Vegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index.
    LAI_DATE
    Required-b
    YYYYMMDDHHMMVegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index measurement date
    Please report the date at the precision known. Allowed reporting precisions are YYYY, YYYYMM, YYYYMMDD, and YYYYMMDDHHMM. For measurements conducted during a campaign or for temporal averages, use DATE_START and DATE_END instead of DATE.
    LAI_DATE_START
    Required-b
    YYYYMMDDHHMMStart date of Vegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index measurment
    Start date of a measurement campaign or start date of a temporal average. Please report the date at the precision known. Allowed reporting precisions are YYYY, YYYYMM, YYYYMMDD, and YYYYMMDDHHMM. Do not use DATE_START if DATE is used.
    LAI_DATE_END
    Required
    YYYYMMDDHHMMEnd date of Vegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index measurment
    End date of a measurement campaign or end date of a temporal average. Please report the date at the precision known. Allowed reporting precisions are YYYY, YYYYMM, YYYYMMDD, and YYYYMMDDHHMM. Do not use DATE_END if DATE is used.
    LAI_DATE_UNC
    Optional
    daysUncertainty in the Vegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index measurement date, start date, and/or end date
    If uncertainty in the start date differs than end date, report the uncertainty for start date here in DATE_UNC and the uncertainty for end date in Comments.
    LAI_COMMENT
    Optional
    free textVegetation (Plant, Leaf, Green) Area Index comments

    BADM Examples

    Choose a variable marked with to show examples of how to submit and interpret these BADM. See BADM Basics for more details.

    Combinations of variables must be unique. Read more: .

    Required Variable
    Optional Variable
    Combinations
    Examples
    Leaf Area Index
  • LAI
  • LAI_TYPE
  • LAI_CANOPY_TYPE
  • LAI_SPP
  • LAI_VEGTYPE
  • LAI_STATISTIC
  • LAI_STATISTIC_METHOD
  • LAI_STATISTIC_NUMBER
  • LAI_CLUMP
  • LAI_METHOD
  • LAI_APPROACH
  • LAI_DATE
  • LAI_DATE_START
  • LAI_DATE_END
  • LAI_DATE_UNC
  • LAI_COMMENT
  • Click a variable marked with to see examples.
    No example currently available

    SPP and VEGTYPE Variables

    Many BADM subgroups and groups have SPP and VEGTYPE variables, like DBH_SPP and DBH_VEGTYPE.

    Do not enter values for SPP and VEGTYPE variables together for the same observation, i.e., in the same row of your CSV file. SPP and VEGTYPE are mutually exclusive, optional variables. Read more at BADM Basics.

    If an observations characterizes the site and is not specific to a single species or to a particular vegetation type, do not enter values for SPP or VEGTYPE:

    However, if the observation characterizes a single species or a particular vegetation type, use SPP or VEGTYPE, like Evergreen Tree in the example below. Do not use both at the same time!

    STATISTIC Variables

    Many BADM groups have a required and several optional STATISTIC variables. Specific examples of their use are given after an overview the variables basics.

    STATISTIC Basics

    BADM typically describe site-level descriptions and observations. The STATISTIC variables allow for full characterization of the reported information if desired. BADM groups, such as canopy height, LAI, soil chemistry, phenology, and biomass, contain the following STATISTIC variables:

    var_STATISTIC
    Required
    The type of value reported.

    Options:
    Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles
    Standard Deviation, Measurement Uncertainty
    Single observation

    var_STATISTIC_METHOD
    Optional
    The method of aggregation used to generate the statistic.

    Options:
    Aggregate of individual observations
    The statistic is aggregated from individual observations located within the site. Observations may be grouped into sample areas (e.g., plots) within the site but those groupings are ignored.

    Statistics generated by this approach may represent spatial characteristics of the measurement within the site (e.g., spatial heterogeneity) and/or characteristics due to other factors (e.g., population variability).

    Aggregate of sample aggregates
    The statistic is aggregated from aggregated individual observations located in sample areas within the site. For example, individual observations are made in 5 sample plots within a site. “Aggregate of sample aggregates” is used if a plot statistic (e.g., Mean) is first calculated, and then the plot values are aggregated to calculate the site statistic.

    Statistics generated by this approach are often used to highlight the spatial characteristics within the site (i.e., the spatial heterogeneity of measurement within the site).

    Expert estimate
    Estimate made by expert familiar with site

    See the Examples for more details.

    var_STATISTIC_NUMBER
    Optional
    The number of observations used in calculating the statistic.

    STATISTIC Examples

    Example 1: DBH calculated from a single sampling area
    Example 2: DBH calculated from 8 plots
    Example 3: DBH calculated from randomly selected trees within the site
    Example 4: Biomass calculated from 8 plots each with 5 sub-plots
    Example 5: Soil carbon calculated from replicate samples at 10 locations

    Example 1: DBH calculated from a single sampling area


    For DBH observations of individual trees in a single sample area at the site:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of individual observations
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = # of individual samples

    * Minimum, Maximum, and Percentiles should only be calculated if the sample size is adequately large.

    Example 2: DBH calculated from 8 plots


    For DBH observations of individual trees in 8 sample plots at the site:

    If the individual DBH observations are first aggregated at the plot level and then the plot values are are used to calculate the site-level STATISTICs to highlight spatial variability:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of sample aggregates
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = 8

    If the individual DBH observations are aggregated across all plots to calculate the site-level STATISTIC:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of individual observations
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = # of individual samples

    * Minimum, Maximum, and Percentiles should only be calculated if the sample size is adequately large.

    Example 3: DBH calculated from randomly selected trees within the site


    For DBH observations of individual trees randomly selected at the site:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of individual observations
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = # of individual samples

    * Minimum, Maximum, and Percentiles should only be calculated if the sample size is adequately large.

    Example 4: Biomass calculated from 8 plots each with 5 sub-plots


    For Biomass observations collected from 5 sub-plots located in each of 8 sample plots at the site:

    In many cases, the sub-plot biomass observations are first aggregated at the plot level. Then the plot values are are used to calculate the site-level STATISTICs:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of sample aggregates
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = 8

    If pseudo-replication or spatial autocorrelation is not an issue, the sub-plot observations may be aggregated across all plots to calculate the site-level STATISTIC:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of individual observations
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = 40

    * Minimum, Maximum, and Percentiles should only be calculated if the sample size is adequately large.

    Example 5: Soil carbon calculated from replicate samples at 10 locations


    For replicate soil carbon observations at 10 randomly-selected points within the site:

    To calculate Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles, and Standard Deviation, the replicates at each location should first be averaged. Then the average values at each location can be used to calculate the STATISTIC:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of sample aggregates
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = 10

    * Minimum, Maximum, and Percentiles should only be calculated if the sample size is adequately large.

    The average difference between the replicates can be used to estimate the Measurement Uncertainty:

    STATISTIC = Measurement Uncertainty
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of individual observations
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = 10

    DATE Variables

    Many groups have several DATE Variables that can be used to describe the time period that the metadata or ancillary data represents.

    Dates should be entered at the precision known and most suitable to the observation. Supported precision include year, month, day, and minute in ISO formats: YYYY, YYYYMM, YYYYMMDD, YYYYMMDDHHMM.

    DATE or DATE_START / DATE_END

    Either a single DATE or a DATE_START / DATE_END pair is required. Do not enter both for the same observation.

    • Use DATE when the observation represents a single point in time. Typical resolutions used are a year, month, or day: YYYY, YYYYMM, YYYYMMDD.
    • Use DATE_START / DATE_END when the observation represents a period of time. Start and end dates are often used when observations are collected as part of a campaign. Typically resolution is reported with day (YYYYMMDD), but month is also common (YYYYMM).

    Notes:

    1. Do not enter DATE and DATE_START for the same observation. See “Mutually-exclusive variables cannot be submitted together” on BADM Basics: Key Concepts.
    2. Within a BADM group (e.g., HEIGHTC), different observations cannot be reported for the same DATE and DATE_START. See “Rules for unique variable combinations Ⓒ” on BADM Basics: Key Concepts.
    3. DATE_END must be reported if DATE_START is reported.

    DATE_UNC

    Uncertainty in the DATE or DATE_START / DATE_END is an optional variable that can also be reported.

    Date uncertainty is most commonly reported when the single DATE variable is used.

    Report a date uncertainty that is commensurate with the DATE or DATE_START / DATE_END reported. For example if a day is reported for the DATE, date uncertainty should be on the order of days rather than months or years. If a year is reported for the DATE, date uncertainty should be greater than a year.

    Customize and Download CSV for BADM Submission

    After selecting your desired variables, download the customized CSV file for submission of BADM. For additional submission details, see BADM Submission Instructions. See BADM Basics for general BADM details.

    Multiple entries of this BADM group can be reported per site. However, combinations of variables must be unique. Read more: . See BADM Basics for more details.

    Required Variable
    Optional Variable
    Combinations
    Examples
    Open/Close
    Select
  • Leaf Area Index
    Required Optional
    LAI
    LAI_TYPE
    LAI_CANOPY_TYPE
    LAI_STATISTIC
    LAI_DATE OR
  • LAI_DATE_START
  • LAI_DATE_END
  • Both
    LAI_SPP OR LAI_VEGTYPE Both Neither
    LAI_STATISTIC_METHOD
    LAI_STATISTIC_NUMBER
    LAI_CLUMP
    LAI_METHOD
    LAI_APPROACH
    LAI_DATE_UNC
    LAI_COMMENT
  • Submit completed CSV file at Upload Data using the BADM option (login required).