Use Specific Leaf Weight when you need to compute specific leaf weight in grams per square metre as leaf dry mass divided by one-sided leaf area. Enter Leaf dry mass and Leaf area using the definitions and units below so the result can be reproduced.

Leaf dry mass

A finite measured or assumed value, expressed in g.

Leaf area

A finite measured or assumed value, expressed in m².

The published tool contract uses this rule: Compute specific leaf weight in grams per square metre as leaf dry mass divided by one-sided leaf area.

Specific leaf weight

The calculated specific leaf weight in g/m².

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 Leaf dry mass and Leaf area values and their units alongside the result. Specific Leaf Area is useful when you instead need to compute specific leaf area SLA in square centimetres per gram as one-sided leaf area divided by leaf dry mass. 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.

• Specific Leaf Area

  Compute specific leaf area SLA in square centimetres per gram as one-sided leaf area divided by leaf dry mass.

• LMA

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

• Specific Root Area

  Compute specific root area SRA in square centimetres per gram as root surface area divided by root dry mass.