Use Leaf Thickness Mean when you need to compute mean leaf thickness in micrometres as the sum of cross-section thickness measurements divided by the number of slices measured. Enter Sum of thickness measurements and Slices counted using the definitions and units below so the result can be reproduced.

Sum of thickness measurements

A finite measured or assumed value greater than or equal to 0, expressed in µm.

Slices counted

An integer count or setting greater than or equal to 1, expressed in slices.

The published tool contract uses this rule: Compute mean leaf thickness in micrometres as the sum of cross-section thickness measurements divided by the number of slices measured.^[1]

Mean leaf thickness

The calculated mean leaf thickness in µm.

A ratio or percentage can conceal the scale of its numerator and denominator and becomes sensitive to measurement error when the denominator is small.

Retain the original Sum of thickness measurements and Slices counted values and their units alongside the result. LAI Calculator is useful when you instead need to compute the leaf area index as total one-sided leaf area divided by the ground surface area it covers. LMA provides another view by helping you compute leaf mass per area LMA in grams per square metre as leaf dry mass divided by leaf area converted from square centimetres.

• LAI Calculator

  Compute the leaf area index as total one-sided leaf area divided by the ground surface area it covers.

• LMA

  Compute leaf mass per area LMA in grams per square metre as leaf dry mass divided by leaf area converted from square centimetres.

• Leaf Nitrogen Content

  Compute leaf nitrogen content in milligrams per gram of leaf dry mass as the nitrogen mass divided by the leaf dry mass.