LAD: an R package to estimate leaf angle distribution from measured leaf inclination angles

Abstract

Leaf angle distribution (LAD) is an important factor for characterizing the optical features of vegetation canopies. The characterization of LAD requires direct measurements of leaf inclination angles, which can be obtained from manual clinometer measurements or leveled digital photography. Package LAD allows to calculate the Leaf angle distribution (LAD) function and the G-function from measured leaf inclination angles. Using the package, the LAD distribution and G-function is derived by fitting a two parameter Beta distribution. Summary leaf angle statistics and distribution type is also calculated, by comparing the obtained LAD against theoretical distribution by de Wit (1965).