Test of Accuracy of LAI Estimation by LAI-2000 under Artificially Changed Leaf to Wood Area Proportions

The accuracy of LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer for leaf (LAI) and plant (PAI) area indexes measurements was tested in 20-year-old Norway spruce stand using the reduction of canopy biomass. Needle and branch areas were reduced progressively upward every one meter. Values of effective leaf area index (LAI_e), as an uncorrected product of LAI-2000, were compared with directly estimated LAI and PAI values after each reduction step. LAI-2000 underestimates PAI and LAI values according to LAI-2000 rings readings, and varied proportions between leaf and wood areas. The values of LAI_c have been increased with decreasing of the view angle of the relevant LAI-2000 rings. Therefore, the underestimation of LAI becomes smaller when the readings near the horizon are masked. More accurate results, for projected LAI (LAI_p) calculation, are produced by LAI-2000 when some dense grids of measurement points and the most vertical ring readings (0 –13 °) are used. Correction factor 1.6 is possible to use for unreduced canopy hemi-surface LAI estimation, when the last rings (i.e. 5^th and 4^th rings, 47 –74 °) are excluded. Correction factor of 1.25 can be used to compute LAI_p if the angle readings under 43 °are also masked.     

Canopy structure measurement by gap fraction analysis using commercial instrumentation

In the past few years, a number of systems for making indirectcanopy structural estimates have become commercially available.These include linear sensors, such as the DEMON, line quantumsensors, and hemispherical sensors, such as the LAI-2000, theLeaf Laser, and the Cl-100. The performance of these instrumentsas reported in the literature is reviewed for forests, row crops,and individual trees. Key words: Leaf area index, LAI-2000, DEMON, SunLink, SunScan, Ceptometer, AccuPAR, Cl-100, gap fraction, sunflecks, hemispherical photography     

祁连山区青海云杉林冠层叶面积指数的反演方法

叶面积指数(Leaf area index, LAI)是陆地生态系统的一个十分重要的结构参数。随着空间精细化模型的发展和基于过程的分布式模拟技术的应用, 对LAI的区域估算显得越来越重要, 但目前尚缺乏有效的估算手段。该项研究以青海云杉(Picea crassifolia)林为研究对象, 利用LAI-2000冠层分析仪、鱼眼镜头法和经验公式法对林冠层LAI进行了测定, 观测值分别为1.03~3.70、0.48~2.26和2.27~8.20, 显然, 仪器测定值偏低。针对针叶的集聚效应导致仪器测定值偏低的现象, 利用跟踪辐射与冠层结构测量仪(TRAC)测定的青海云杉林聚集系数计算调整系数, 对鱼眼镜头法获取的LAI值进行订正。根据高分辨率的遥感数据反演青海云杉林的植被指数与LAI的关系, 最后获得了较合理的该地区林冠层LAI的空间分布图。     

Leaf orientation and distribution in a Phaseolus vulgaris L. crop and their relation to light microclimate

Changes in canopy structure parameters (leaflet orientation, leaflet inclination and leaf area index) were measured in crops of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the field as the canopy developed between July and October. These changes were compared with the corresponding changes in seasonal light transmission. The beans showed clear heliotropic behaviour, with preferential orientation of leaflets towards the sun’s beam, especially on sunny days. Nevertheless a significant proportion of the leaves pointed in other directions, with as much as 20% oriented towards the north. The highest proportion of leaf inclinations was in the range 30–40° on cloudy days and between 40° and 50° on sunny days. Two methods were compared for assessing changes in light transmission: (a) the use of a Sunfleck Ceptometer and (b) the use of continuous records obtained with sensors installed in the canopy. Over the growth period studied, the total of the leaf plus stem area indices (L _S) increased from 0.26 to 5.2 with the transmission coefficient (τ) for photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), obtained using the Ceptometer, correspondingly decreasing from 0.72 to 0.05, and the canopy extinction coefficient decreasing from 1.4 to 0.62. The continuous records of light transmission gave generally similar estimates of τ. Some contrasting leaf angle distribution functions were compared for estimation of L _S from the light measurements. The best leaf angle function to predict L _S from the observed light transmission was a conical function corrected by the degree of heliotropism. Received: 27 January 1999 / Accepted: 11 June 1999     

3类典型温带山地森林的叶面积指数的季节动态: 多种监测方法比较

 叶面积指数(leaf area index, LAI)是定量描述冠层结构的最有效指标之一。鉴于森林冠层三维结构的高度复杂性和异质性, 迄今仍没有形成统一标准的LAI测量方法。该文利用LAI-2000冠层分析仪、CI-110冠层分析仪和半球摄影法(digital hemispherical photograph, DHP), 对北京东灵山地区以蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)为主的落叶阔叶林、华北落叶松(Larix gmelinii var. principis-rupprechtii)林和油松(Pinus tabuliformis)林的有效叶面积指数(effective leaf area index, LAI_e)进行了动态监测, 探寻其季节变化规律。为准确地估算温带山地主要森林类型的LAI, 对光学仪器测量值进行了去除木质成分、聚集效应等校正, 与基于凋落物收集法的相应实测值进行了比较分析。结果表明: 3种典型森林在生长季期间叶片生长均呈现单峰型; 3种光学仪器测量方法的同期LAI_e数值大小顺序为: LAI-2000冠层分析仪>DHP>CI-110冠层分析仪。光学仪器的直接测量值LAI_e包含了木质成分的贡献, 钝化了季节动态的变化幅度, 这对有明显季节交替的落叶林尤为突出。经校正, LAI-2000冠层分析仪和DHP的测量值与实测值都表现出显著的相关性, 其中LAI-2000冠层分析仪最适于采用基于空隙大小的校正方法, 而基于空隙度和空隙大小的综合算法则是校正DHP的最佳选择。结合经济成本和野外实际操作等因素考虑, DHP具有更大的推广优势, 特别适用于温带山地落叶林。     

Variety of responses of plant phenolic concentration to CO2 enrichment

Leaf area index (LAI) of a stand of adult black alder trees(Alnus glutinosa L., Gaertn.) was determined by means of threeindependent methods. (1) The seasonal course of LAI was directlyobtained by counting leaves in situ and adding up their areas,estimated from harvested subsamples of leaves. (2) The seasonalvariation of LAI in the stand was estimated using the Li-CorLAI-2000 PCA in parallel and with this instrument a VegetationArea Index (VAI, projected area of all phyto-elements) was actuallymeasured. (3) Maximum LAI was calculated from leaf litter collectionstaking into account specific leaf area within different layersof the alder crown. Direct LAI estimates (1) and calculationsfrom leaf litter (3) revealed the same figure of maximum LAI(4.8). This LAI was reached in August. The LAI-2000 PCA capturedthe seasonal variation and underestimated, by 11% on average,the LAI obtained directly. Compared with results gained withother broad-leaved tree species the LAI-2000 PCA values foralder were reliable. It is suggested that this is due to thehorizontal homogeneous structure of the main leaf layer. Thisis in the periphery of the crown, where 90% of the light interceptionoccurs. Taking the het-erogeneity into account a satisfactorycompatibility of the three methods applied to the alder standwas achieved. Key words: Alnus glutinosa, leaf area index, in situ counting, LAI-2000 PCA, litter collections     

Leaf area index determination in an alder forest: a comparison of three methods

Leaf area index (LAI) of a stand of adult black alder trees(Alnus glutinosa L., Gaertn.) was determined by means of threeindependent methods. (1) The seasonal course of LAI was directlyobtained by counting leaves in situ and adding up their areas,estimated from harvested subsamples of leaves. (2) The seasonalvariation of LAI in the stand was estimated using the Li-CorLAI-2000 PCA in parallel and with this instrument a VegetationArea Index (VAI, projected area of all phyto-elements) was actuallymeasured. (3) Maximum LAI was calculated from leaf litter collectionstaking into account specific leaf area within different layersof the alder crown. Direct LAI estimates (1) and calculationsfrom leaf litter (3) revealed the same figure of maximum LAI(4.8). This LAI was reached in August. The LAI-2000 PCA capturedthe seasonal variation and underestimated, by 11% on average,the LAI obtained directly. Compared with results gained withother broad-leaved tree species the LAI-2000 PCA values foralder were reliable. It is suggested that this is due to thehorizontal homogeneous structure of the main leaf layer. Thisis in the periphery of the crown, where 90% of the light interceptionoccurs. Taking the het-erogeneity into account a satisfactorycompatibility of the three methods applied to the alder standwas achieved. Key words: Alnus glutinosa, leaf area index, in situ counting, LAI-2000 PCA, litter collections     

Estimation of deciduous forest leaf area index using direct and indirect methods

This study evaluated one semi-direct and three indirect methods for estimating leaf area index (LAI) by comparing these estimates with direct estimates derived from litter collection. The semi-direct method uses a thin metallic needle to count a number of contacts across fresh litter layers. One indirect method is based on the penetration of diffuse global radiation measured over the course of a day. The second indirect method uses the LAI-2000 plant canopy analyser (PCA) which measures diffuse light penetration from five different sky sectors simultaneously. The third indirect method uses the Demon portable light sensor to measure the penetration of direct beam sunlight at different zenith angles over the course of half a day. The Poisson model of gap frequency was applied to estimate plant area index (PAI) from observed transmittances using the second and third methods. Litter collection from 11 temperate decidous forests gave values of LAI ranging from 1.7 to 7.5. Estimates based on the needle method showed a significant linear relationship with LAI values obtained from litter collections but were systematically lower (by 6–37%). PAI estimates using all three indirect techniques (fixed light sensor system, LAI-2000 and Demon) showed a strong linear relationship with LAI derived from litter collection. Differences, averaged over all forest stands, between PAI estimates from each of the three indirect methods and LAI from litter collections were below 2%. If we consider that LAI=PAI–WAI (wood area index) then, all three indirect methods underestimated LAI by an additional factor close to the value of WAI. One reason could be a local clumping of architectural canopy components: in particular, the spatial dispositions of branchlets and leaves are not independent, leading to a non-random relationship between the distributions of these two canopy components.     

利用直接法和间接法测定针阔混交林叶面积指数的季节动态

利用光学仪器法能够快速、高效地测定森林生态系统的叶面积指数(leaf area index, LAI)。然而, 评估该方法测定针阔混交林LAI季节动态准确性的研究较少。该研究基于凋落物法测定了小兴安岭地区阔叶红松(Pinus koraiensis)林LAI的季节动态, 其结果可代表真实的LAI。参考真实的LAI, 对半球摄影法(digital hemispherical photography, DHP)和LAI-2000植物冠层分析仪测定的有效叶面积指数(effective LAI, L_e)进行了评估。首先对DHP测定LAI过程中采用的不合理曝光模式(自动曝光)进行了系统校正。同时, 测定了光学仪器法估测LAI的主要影响因素(包括木质比例(woody-to-total area ratio, α)、集聚指数(clumping index, Ω_E)和针簇比(needle-to-shoot area ratio, γ_E))的季节变化。结果表明: 3种不同方法测定的LAI均表现为单峰型的季节变化, 8月初达到峰值。从5月至11月, DHP测定的L_e比真实的LAI低估50%-59%, 平均低估55%; 而LAI-2000植物冠层分析仪测定的L_e比真实的LAI低估19%-35%, 平均低估27%。DHP测定的L_e 经过自动曝光, α、Ω_E和γ_E校正后, 精度明显提高, 但仍比真实的LAI低估6%-15%, 平均低估9%; 相对而言, LAI-2000植物冠层分析仪测定的L_e经过α、Ω_E和γ_E校正后, 精度明显提高, 各时期与真实的LAI的差异均小于9%。研究结果表明, 考虑木质部和集聚效应对光学仪器法的影响后, DHP和LAI-2000植物冠层分析仪均能相对准确地测定针阔混交林LAI的季节动态, 其中, DHP的测定精度高于85%, 而LAI-2000植物冠层分析仪的测定精度高于91%。     

湿地松林叶面积指数测算

对湿地松（Pinus elliotii）当年生和多年生两针一束、三针一束叶片的长度、宽度、厚度和重量分别进行量测,据此探讨不同类型叶片的叶形和比叶面积差异,并结合样地调查数据对中科院千烟洲试验站湿地松人工林的叶面积指数进行计算。结果表明：湿地松三针一束叶片合拢后横切面基本呈圆形,当年生叶和多年生叶的平均直径分别为1．688mm和1.706mm;两针一束叶片合拢后从统计学上讲横切面不是圆形,而是椭圆形,叶片厚度方向直径大于宽度方向（当年生叶厚度和宽度方向直径分别为1．580ram和1．422mm,多年生叶分别为1．568mm和1.410mm）,但如果把厚度和宽度方向直径的平均值近似成圆柱体直径计算时误差在3％以内;如果只用厚度或宽度方向直径代表平均直径计算结果会有2％。10％的误差;当年生叶和多年生叶、两针一束叶和三针一束叶之间比叶面积差别很大,计算的三种比叶面积（投影比叶面积、圆柱面比叶面积和比表面积）中,当年生叶的比叶面积明显大于多年生叶,三针一束叶片的投影比叶面积和比表面积都大于两针一束叶片,但圆柱面比叶面积恰好相反。湿地松林的叶面积指数若按投影叶面积算为3．61,按圆柱面的外表面算为5．12,按总表面积的一半算为4．52,比利用冠层分析仪测量的结果略大。     

Nondestructive, Stereological Estimation of Canopy Surface Area

Summary .  We describe a stereological procedure to estimate the total leaf surface area of a plant canopy in vivo, and address the problem of how to predict the variance of the corresponding estimator. The procedure involves three nested systematic uniform random sampling stages: (i) selection of plants from a canopy using the  smooth fractionator , (ii) sampling of leaves from the selected plants using the  fractionator , and (iii) area estimation of the sampled leaves using  point counting . We apply this procedure to estimate the total area of a chrysanthemum ( Chrysanthemum morifolium L. ) canopy and evaluate both the time required and the precision of the estimator. Furthermore, we compare the precision of point counting for three different grid intensities with that of several standard leaf area measurement techniques. Results showed that the precision of the plant leaf area estimator based on point counting is high. Using a grid intensity of 1.76 cm²/point we estimated plant and canopy surface areas with accuracies similar to or better than those obtained using image analysis and a commercial leaf area meter. For canopy surface areas of approximately 1 m² (10 plants), the fractionator leaf approach with sampling fraction equal to 1/9 followed by point counting using a 4.3 cm²/point grid produced a coefficient of error of less than 7%. The  smooth fractionator  can be used to ensure that the additional contribution to the estimator variance due to between-plant variability is small.     

Measuring seasonal dynamics of leaf area index in a mixed conifer-broadleaved forest with direct and indirect methods

利用光学仪器法能够快速、高效地测定森林生态系统的叶面积指数(leaf area index, LAI)。然而, 评估该方法测定针阔混交林LAI季节动态准确性的研究较少。该研究基于凋落物法测定了小兴安岭地区阔叶红松(Pinus koraiensis)林LAI的季节动态, 其结果可代表真实的LAI。参考真实的LAI, 对半球摄影法(digital hemispherical photography, DHP)和LAI-2000植物冠层分析仪测定的有效叶面积指数(effective LAI, L_e)进行了评估。首先对DHP测定LAI过程中采用的不合理曝光模式(自动曝光)进行了系统校正。同时, 测定了光学仪器法估测LAI的主要影响因素(包括木质比例(woody-to-total area ratio, α)、集聚指数(clumping index, Ω_E)和针簇比(needle-to-shoot area ratio, γ_E))的季节变化。结果表明: 3种不同方法测定的LAI均表现为单峰型的季节变化, 8月初达到峰值。从5月至11月, DHP测定的L_e比真实的LAI低估50%-59%, 平均低估55%; 而LAI-2000植物冠层分析仪测定的L_e比真实的LAI低估19%-35%, 平均低估27%。DHP测定的L_e 经过自动曝光, α、Ω_E和γ_E校正后, 精度明显提高, 但仍比真实的LAI低估6%-15%, 平均低估9%; 相对而言, LAI-2000植物冠层分析仪测定的L_e经过α、Ω_E和γ_E校正后, 精度明显提高, 各时期与真实的LAI的差异均小于9%。研究结果表明, 考虑木质部和集聚效应对光学仪器法的影响后, DHP和LAI-2000植物冠层分析仪均能相对准确地测定针阔混交林LAI的季节动态, 其中, DHP的测定精度高于85%, 而LAI-2000植物冠层分析仪的测定精度高于91%。     

Leaf litterfall,leaf area index,and radiation transmittance in cypress wetlands and slash pine plantations in north-central Florida

The seasonal dynamics of leaf litterfall and leaf area index (LAI, all-sided basis), light penetration and the vertical distribution of surface area index, and the feasibility of estimating LAI from radiation transmittance were studied from April 1993 to March 1994 in the canopies of three cypress (Taxodium ascendens) wetlands and their surrounding slash pine (Pinus elliottii) uplands in Florida flatwoods. Annual leaf litterfall ranged from 324 to 359 g m^–2 in the wetlands, which was very close to the average for 11 sites throughout Florida of 340±26 g m^–2. The seasonal pattern of the normalized LAI obtained for the dominant tree species in the ecosystems could be used to construct the seasonal dynamics of LAI at the ecosystem scale. The vertical distribution of surface area index in the wetlands was significantly different from that in the surrounding pine uplands. The maximum LAI of cypress wetlands in this area was about 8 m² m^–2, which was higher than the maximum of slash pine plantations of 6 m² m^–2. Cypress leaves were strongly erectophile in space. Results showed that the LAI-2000 canopy analyzer could generally be used to estimate forest LAI, whether the forest canopy was closed or not, if an overall clumping index of 2.00 was applied. However, as LAI decreased, the relative error contained in the radiation-based LAI estimates increased. This indicated that foliage clumping at the stand scale was more important than that at the tree or branch scale.     

Can we use photography to estimate radiation interception by a crop canopy?

Accuracy of determining radiation interception, and hence radiation use efficiency, depends on the method of measuring photosynthetically active radiation intercepted. Methods vary, from expensive instruments such as Sunfleck ceptometers to simple methods such as digital photography. However, before universal use of digital photography there is need to determine its reliability and compare it with conventional, but expensive, methods. In a series of experiments at Lincoln, New Zealand, canopy development for barley, wheat, white clover and four forage brassica species was determined using both digital photographs and Sunfleck ceptometer. Values obtained were used to calculate conversion coefficient (Kf/Ki) ratios between the two methods. Digital photographs were taken at 45° and 90° for barley, wheat and white clover and at only 90° for brassicas. There was an interaction of effects of crop and cultivar for the cereal crops. Barley closed canopies earlier than wheat, and ‘Emir’ barley and ‘Stettler’ wheat had consistently higher canopy cover than ‘Golden Promise’ and ‘HY459′, respectively. Canopy cover was consistently larger at 45° than 90° for cereals. However, for white clover, the angle of digital photography was not important. There was also an interaction between effects of species and method of determining canopy cover for brassicas. Photographs gave higher cover values than ceptometer for forage rape and turnip, but the relationship was variable for forage kale and swede. Kf/Ki ratios of 1.0–1.10 for cereals, white clover and forage rape and turnip show that digital photographs can be used to estimated radiation interception, in place of Sunfleck ceptometer, for these crops.     

Direct and indirect estimates of Leaf Area Index (LAI) for lodgepole and loblolly pine stands

We compared direct and indirect estimates of leaf area index (LAI) for lodgepole and loblolly pine stands. Indirect estimates of LAI using radiative methods of the LI-COR LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer (PCA) did not correlate with allometric estimates for lodgepole pine, and correlated only weakly with litter-trap estimates for loblolly pine. The PCA consistently under-estimated LAI in lodgepole pine stands with high LAI, and over-estimated LAI in the loblolly pine stands with low LAI. We developed a physical model to test the hypothesis that the PCA may under-estimate LAI in high leaf area stands because of increased foliage overlap and, therefore, increased selfshading. Radiative estimates of LAI using the PCA for the physical model were consistenly lower than allometric measures. Results from the physical model suggested that increased foliage overlap decreased the ability of the PCA to accurately estimate LAI. The relationship between allometric and radiative measures suggested an upper asymptote in LAI estimated using the PCA. The PCA may not accurately estimate LAI in stands of low or high leaf area index, and the bias or error associated with these estimates probably depends on species and canopy structure. A species specific correction factor will not necessarily correct bias in LAI estimates using the PCA.     

广西桉树人工林叶面积指数的估测及其校正

叶面积指数(Leaf area index, LAI)是森林生态系统重要的结构参数,通过遥感技术可反演区域LAI,但其可靠性需要地面准确的实测数据进行验证。选取广西国有高峰林场不同林龄的桉树(Eucalyptus robusta)人工林为对象,以异速生长法(Allometry)为对照,综合利用植物冠层分析仪法(LAI-2200)、跟踪辐射和冠层结构分析仪法(TRAC)、半球摄影法(DHP)以及地基激光雷达法(TLS)等间接法估测样地的LAI,并考虑木质成分以及聚集效应影响,进行相应的校正处理,为地面快速、准确测量桉树人工林LAI提供参考。结果表明：桉树人工林的比叶面积为125.37±13.38 cm~2/g,通过Allometry获得的LAI变化范围在1.65—3.84,平均为2.73,不同林龄间的差异均显著(P<0.05),随着林龄的增加呈现先增加后减少的趋势。在未校正情况下,LAI-2200、TRAC、DHP、TLS估算的LAI存在显著差异(P<0.05)。与对照相比,LAI-2200在幼龄林和过熟林中估算误差最小,TRAC在成熟林中估算误差最小。相对于完全去除法,利用...     

Methods of Measuring the Proportions of Plant-Species Present in Forest and Their Effect on Estimates of Bird Preferences for Plant-Species

Stem density, basal area, vegetation cover and vegetation surface area were compared as measures of the proportions of plant species present in North Okarito Forest, South Westland, for use in determining bird preferences for plant species. In general, stem density estimates of the proportions of canopy species were about 10 times lower than basal area estimates. The converse was true for estimates of the proportions of sub- canopy and understorey species. The proportions estimated from vegetation cover and vegetation surface area were similar for most species, and were intermediate between the proportions estimated from stem density and basal area. However, in the upper forest tiers, vegetation cover gave lower estimates for the proportions of canopy species and higher estimates for the proportions of sub-canopy species than given by vegetation surface area. These differences affect calculation of bird preferences for plant species. We recommend vegetation surface area as a measure of the proportional availability of plant species to birds because it is appropriate to most birds in New Zealand forests, is likely to be more accurate than visual estimates of vegetation cover, and can be measured on the same plots separately for trunks, branches, foliage, and fruit.     

岷江上游植被冠层降水截留的空间模拟

 通过对岷江上游实地踏查和定位观测研究,结合MODIS遥感数据,利用“3S”技术对岷江上游植被冠层降水截留进行了空间模拟。研究结果表明：岷江上游植被叶面积指数（LAI）与增强性植被指数（EVI）以二项式关系拟合效果较好。由于归一化植被指数（NDVI）存在的饱和问题,研究采用EVI反演LAI,统计结果表明：岷江上游LAI值在0～2之间的占28.57%,在2～4.5之间的占63.06%,大于4.5的占8.37%,其中LAI最大值为7.394;从冠层最大降水截留模拟结果来看: 植被较好的地区,如卧龙、米亚罗的植被冠层最大降水截留量较大,而干旱河谷、上游高山草甸等地的植被冠层最大降水截留量相对较低;附加冠层降水截留与降雨量呈线性相关,模型验证时以此为基础,模型模拟的结果较为理想。     

Canopy photosynthetic production in a Japanese larch forest. II. Estimation of the canopy photosynthetic production

Seasonal changes and yearly gross canopy photosynthetic production were estimated for an 18 year old Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis) forest between 1982 and 1984. A canopy photosynthesis model was applied for the estimation, which took into account the effect of light interception by the non-photosynthetic organs. Seasonal changes in photosynthetic ability, amount of canopy leaf area and light environment within the canopy were also taken into account. Amount of leaf area was estimated by the leaf area growth of a single leaf. The change of light environment within the canopy during the growing season was estimated with a light penetration model and the leaf increment within the canopy. Canopy respiration and surplus production were calculated as seasonal and yearly values for the three years studied. Mean yearly estimates of canopy photosynthesis, canopy respiration and surplus production were 37, 13 and 23 tCO₂ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively. Vertical trend, seasonal changes and yearly values of the estimates were analyzed in relation to environmental and stand factors.     

Deciduous forest communities in the Black Sea coastal Strandzha region: temporal and spatial characteristics of leaf area index and density

The seasonal variation and vertical distribution of leaf area index are important characteristics of forest stands and their structure, not in the least for modelling and assessing biogeochemical and biogeophysical processes. In this paper results are presented from 2 years' measurements with the Li-Cor LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyser in the south-eastern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, where Quercus frainetto stands are well represented but so far little studied. Mixed Fagus orientalis and Quercus polycarpa stands were also studied. The Q. frainetto effective LAI-2000 leaf area index values (one-sided) ranged from 1.43 to 3.21 with maximum values in June. Several Q. frainetto and F. orientalis + Q. polycarpa stands in the coastal zone were studied extensively and are shown to follow the seasonal variation at an intensive-measurements site, with an increase in leaf area index by 39.6% and 45.5% in June, respectively, related to the April values. The vertical profile of the canopy in the intensive-measurements site is presented and destructive measurements are compared with the LAI-2000 data. Data show that most of the leaves are located close to the middle of tree height (at around 40% of it). The analysis suggests that the intensive-measurements site is a good representative of the region, and that LAI-2000 measurements can provide sufficiently good information for further mapping of its forest leaf-area characteristics.