Dataset of leaf inclination angles for 71 different Eucalyptus species

Abstract

The leaf inclination angle distribution is an important parameter in models useful for understanding forest canopy processes of photosynthesis, evapotranspiration, radiation transmission, and spectral reflectance. Yet, despite the strong sensitivity of many of these models to variability in leaf inclination angle distribution, relatively few measurements have been reported for different tree species in literature and databases such as TRY, and various assumptions about leaf inclination angle distribution are often made by modellers.Here we provide a dataset of leaf inclination angles for 71 different Australia-native Eucalyptus species measured in 13 botanical gardens around the world. Leaf inclination angles were measured using a leveled digital camera approach. The leaf angle measurements were used to estimate corresponding Beta distribution parameters and to assign the appropriate classic type of leaf inclination angle distribution. The data can be used to parameterize leaf angle distributions in e.g., physically-based reflectance models, land surface models, and regional carbon cycle models.