Measuring Leaf Area Index (LAI) and vegetation growing season length to better understand the interactions and feedbacks between vegetation and the changing climate.

The purpose of this research was to measure and model vegetation growing seasons of deciduous tree species located at Murray State University Hancock Biological Station. The study began in September of 2015, and consisted of collecting leaf area index (LAI) from 3 defined locations using the Decagon LP80 Ceptometer, and Sentek soil probes to measure soil moisture/temperature. LAI data were collected weekly at various times, while soil temperature and moister recordings were collected in 60 minute intervals at depths of 5 to 55 cm in 10 cm increments. This study was important because it is essential to measure LAI and vegetation growing season length to better understand the interactions and feedbacks between vegetation and the changing climate