Skip to main content

Leaf Area Index Data Access and Tools

NASA has leaf area index datasets that help researchers characterize vegetation around Earth. Access a range of data and data tools to make the most of leaf area index data. Foe example, AppEEARS offers a simple and effective way to extract, transform, visualize, and download MODIS and VIIRS vegetation-related data products. AppEEARS allows users to subset data by defining specific point(s) or area(s) of interest, and output data can be downloaded in csv (point), GeoTIFF (area) or NetCDF4 (area) format.

Leaf Area Index Datasets

View All Datasets
Filters
Dataset Version Platform Instrument Temporal Extent Spatial Extent Spatial Resolution Data Format
MODIS/Terra Gap-Filled, Smoothed LAI-FPAR 8-Day L4 Global 1km SIN Grid 6 Terra MODIS 2001-01-01 to 2020-12-27

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

1 Kilometers x 1 Kilometers HDF-EOS
MERRA-2 tavg1_2d_lnd_Nx: 2d,1-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Land Surface Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2T1NXLND) 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

0.625 Decimal Degrees x 0.5 Decimal Degrees
MERRA-2 tavgM_2d_lnd_Nx: 2d,Monthly mean,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Land Surface Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TMNXLND) 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

0.625 Decimal Degrees x 0.5 Decimal Degrees
MERRA-2 tavgU_2d_lnd_Nx: 2d,diurnal,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Land Surface Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TUNXLND) 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

0.625 Decimal Degrees x 0.5 Decimal Degrees
North American Land Carbon Reanalysis, 2012-2024 1 COMPUTERS Computer 2012-07-15 to 2024-07-15

N: 85 S: 7 E: -20 W: -179

COG
CARDAMOM Carbon-Water-Energy Reanalysis v1100.1, 2001-2021 1 GOSAT, OCO-2, MODELS, Terra, Aqua TANSO-FTS-2, OCO SPECTROMETERS, Computer, MODIS 2001-01-01 to 2021-12-31

N: 82 S: -54 E: 180 W: -180

multiple
Vegetation Biophysical Data (FIFE) 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION, LABORATORY LICOR LEAF AREA METER, INCLINOMETERS, BALANCE 1987-05-26 to 1989-08-18

N: 39.12 S: 38.98 E: -96.45 W: -96.61

multiple
LAI (Indirect): Light Wand - KSU (FIFE) 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION LICOR PLANT CANOPY ANALYZER 1988-06-29 to 1989-10-31

N: 39.1 S: 38.98 E: -96.45 W: -96.61

multiple
LAI & PAR Data: Light Bar - KSU (FIFE) 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION LICOR QUANTUM SENSOR 1989-07-03 to 1989-10-31

N: 39.1 S: 38.98 E: -96.45 W: -96.61

multiple
SiB4 Modeled Global 0.5-Degree Daily Carbon Fluxes and Pools, 2000-2018 1 MODELS Computer 2000-01-01 to 2018-12-31

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

netCDF-4 classic
BOREAS Follow-On DSP-10 Regridded FPAR and LAI Maps for 1994 1 NOAA-11 AVHRR 1994-05-21 to 1994-09-11

N: 60 S: 48 E: -90 W: -111

BMP
BOREAS Follow-On DSP-06 CASI LAI and Canopy Closure of Conifer Flux Tower Sites 1 PIPER NAVAJO CHIEFTAIN CASI 1994-02-07 to 1994-02-11

N: 60 S: 48 E: -90 W: -111

BMP
MODIS-derived Aggregate, Woody and Herbaceous Leaf Area Index for Africa, 2002-2022 1 Terra, Aqua MODIS 2002-07-05 to 2022-07-29

N: 20.02 S: -40.02 E: 63.8625 W: -21.2839

netCDF-4
SNF Forest Phenology/Leaf Expansion Data 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION VISUAL OBSERVATIONS 1984-05-10 to 1984-06-12

N: 48.1697 S: 47.6575 E: -91.7658 W: -92.5058

ASCII
BOREAS TF-11 SSA-Fen 1995 Leaf Area Index Data 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION LICOR LEAF AREA METER 1995-05-20 to 1995-09-29

N: 53.8 S: 53.8 E: -104.62 W: -104.62

ASCII
BOREAS RSS-07 LAI, Gap Fraction, and FPAR Data 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION LICOR QUANTUM SENSOR, LICOR PLANT CANOPY ANALYZER 1993-08-09 to 1994-09-17

N: 55.94 S: 53.63 E: -98.19 W: -106.2

ASCII
BOREAS RSS-04 1994 Southern Study Area Jack Pine LAI & FPAR Data 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION LICOR LEAF AREA METER, LICOR QUANTUM SENSOR 1993-08-14 to 1994-08-05

N: 53.99 S: 53.65 E: -104.64 W: -105.32

ASCII
Global Leaf Area Index from Field Measurements, 1932-2000 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION LICOR LEAF AREA METER 1932-01-01 to 2000-12-31

N: 71.3 S: -54.5 E: 172.75 W: -156.67

Text File
Leaf Area Index Data (OTTER) 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION CAMERAS 1991-05-13 to 1991-05-15

N: 44.67 S: 44.29 E: -121.33 W: -123.27

ASCII
SAFARI 2000 Leaf Area Measurements at the Mongu Tower Site, Zambia, 2000-2002 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION LICOR PLANT CANOPY ANALYZER, LICOR LEAF AREA METER 2000-10-09 to 2002-04-13

N: -14.9342 S: -16.8667 E: 24.2773 W: 22.0276

CSV
SAFARI 2000 LAI and FPAR Measurements at Sua Pan, Botswana, Dry Season 2000 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION SUNFLECK CEPTOMETER, LICOR LEAF AREA METER 2000-08-20 to 2000-08-28

N: -20.5168 S: -20.5259 E: 26.0394 W: 26.0297

CSV
SAFARI 2000 Leaf Spectral Measurements, Kalahari Transect, Wet Season 2000 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION SPECTRORADIOMETERS 2000-03-03 to 2000-03-18

N: -15.4378 S: -24.127 E: 25.494 W: 21.709

Shapefile
SAFARI 2000 Leaf Measurements of Dominant Trees, Kalahari Sites, Wet Season 2000 1 NOT APPLICABLE NOT APPLICABLE 2000-02-28 to 2000-03-18

N: -18.657 S: -24.164 E: 25.5 W: 21.713

CSV
SAFARI 2000 Leaf Area Index and Canopy Structure, Kalahari Transect, 1999-2000 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION PYRANOMETERS 1999-08-10 to 2000-12-19

N: -15.4378 S: -24.1475 E: 25.5003 W: 21.6964

Shapefile
SAFARI 2000 LAI Measurements at Kalahari Transect Sites, Wet Season 2000 1 FIELD INVESTIGATION LICOR PLANT CANOPY ANALYZER 2000-03-04 to 2000-03-16

N: -18.66 S: -24.127 E: 25.494 W: 21.709

CSV
You're viewing 25 of 81

Featured Leaf Area Index Observation Method: MODIS

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) continually collects reflectance and other data across 36 channels with global coverage every one to two days. The broad spectral range enables MODIS data to be used in studies across numerous disciplines, including vegetative health as well as changes in land cover and land use.

Learn More About MODIS
True color corrected reflectance image of Africa, Europe, and Asia from the VIIRS instrument aboard the NOAA-21 satellite

From MODIS to VIIRS: Continuing the Legacy

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) will help ensure continuity of Earth observations after the upcoming retirement of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS).

Leaf Area Index Data Tools

View All Data Tools
No Results

QUESTIONS & SUPPORT

Have a question?

Get help with NASA Earth science data, datasets, tools, services, and metadata on the Earthdata Forum. Experienced staff in the data user community review and answer questions.

Get help on Earthdata Forum
Earthdata
Forum