Leaf area of lodgepole pine and whitebark pine in a subalpine Sierra Nevada forest

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Abstract
Leaf area index (LAI) of lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta var. murrayana (Grev. & Balf.) Engelm.) and whitebark pine (Pinusalbicaulis Engelm.) was calculated as part of an integrated study of the biogeochemistry of the Eastern Brook Lakes watershed in the eastern Sierra Nevada. LAI was calculated using leaf area and biomass data from this study and diameter–crown foliage relationships obtained from the literature. Mean LAI for all forest types sampled was 4.2 for lodgepole pine and 5.2 for whitebark pine. LAI ranged from 3.6 to 11.7 for different forest types, with a mean of 7.9 for all forested areas of the watershed. LAI values will assist in calculating potential evapotranspiration and hydrologic budgets for the watershed.