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Ananda Fitzsimmons <ana...@livingsoilssymposium.ca>: Nov 18 01:38PM -0500
Hello ERA members,
Most of the impact measurements related to climate change are through the
lens of carbon tunnel vision. Measurements related to water and
biodiversity are commonly thought of as secondary benefits. We have been
thinking about how ERA can bring forward a framework of impact measurement
and reporting that is more in line with our holistic view of how nature's
complexity regulates climate and how restoring nature and the natural
cooling mechanisms of intact ecosystems are the most effective pathways to
counter catastrophic climate change.
Imagine if we could either adopt or develop a methodology for ERA members
which would enable us to have a unified way to report on and consolidate
our restoration efforts. When we first began, we wanted to gather a
membership and report on acres regenerated for the X Prize. But clearly we
need more than a claim of regeneration. We need a user-friendly methodology
we can all use to validate our claims.
We would love to hear our members' thoughts about this, methods you use,
methods you like. Ultimately we would love to have a working committee to
propose a methodology for ERA and its members to help us consolidate data
and communicate our impacts. Please share your thoughts in this thread and
if anyone is interested in participating in a working committee to develop
a proposal for a unified MRV system (Measurement, Reporting, Verification)
please let us know.
For the steering committee,
ANANDA FITZSIMMONS
Présidente du conseil d'administration
President of the Board of Directors
regenerationcanada.org
438 820 1760 <1-438-820-1760>
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Fred Jennings <peak...@yahoo.com>: Nov 18 11:09PM
Ananda:
Jim Laurie of Bio4Climate has long talked about "leaf area index" as a measure of greenery. I don't know how easily measurable this index is, but it might be a start for us. Worth some discussion and consideration, anyway...
Fred Jennings
Here's just a tiny snippet:
The Leaf Area Index (LAI) is a dimensionless measure that quantifies the total leaf area of a plant canopy relative to the ground area it covers, providing insights into plant growth, photosynthesis, and ecosystem dynamics.
Definition and Significance
The Leaf Area Index (LAI) is defined as the one-sided leaf area per unit ground area, typically expressed in square meters of leafarea per square meter of ground area (m²/m²). It is a crucial metric in ecology and agriculture, as it helps to assess the density of foliage in a given area, whichdirectly influences photosynthesis, transpiration, and light interception. LAI values can range from 0 (bare ground) to over 10 (dense forests), with differentecosystems exhibiting varying LAI values. For instance, desert ecosystems mayhave an LAI of less than 1, while tropical rainforests can reach values as high as 9. Wikipedia+2
Measurement Methods
LAI can be measured using both direct and indirect methods:
- Direct Methods: These involve physically collecting leaves from a defined area and measuring their total leaf area using tools like leaf area meters. This method is
- often considered destructive as it requires harvesting leaves. 1
- Indirect Methods: These include techniques such as hemispherical photography,
- where wide-angle images of the canopy are taken to estimate LAI based on light penetration
- and canopy structure. These methods are non-destructive and allow for repeated measurements over time. 2
- 2 Sources
Applications
LAI is widely used in various fields, including:
- Agriculture: Understanding LAI helps farmers optimize irrigation, fertilization, and
- crop management practices, leading to improved crop yields and resource
- efficiency. 1
- Ecology: LAI is a key variable in ecological models that predict photosynthetic
- productivity, evapotranspiration, and energy balance within ecosystems. 2
- Climate Studies: By quantifying leaf area, LAI contributes to understanding carbon and water cycles, making it essential for climate modeling and environmental
- assessments. 2
In summary, the Leaf Area Index is a vital ecological metric that provides insights
- into plant health, productivity, and the interactions between vegetation and the
- environment. Its measurement and application are crucial for advancing
- agricultural practices and ecological research.
On Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 01:39:04 PM EST, Ananda Fitzsimmons <ana...@livingsoilssymposium.ca> wrote:
Hello ERA members,Most of the impact measurements related to climate change are through the lens of carbon tunnel vision. Measurements related to water and biodiversity are commonly thought of as secondary benefits. We have been thinking about how ERA can bring
forward a framework of impact measurement and reporting that is more in line with our holistic view of how nature's complexity regulates climate and how restoring nature and the natural cooling mechanisms of intact ecosystems are the most effective pathways
to counter catastrophic climate change.
Imagine if we could either adopt or develop a methodology for ERA members which would enable us to have a unified way to report on and consolidate our restoration efforts. When we first began, we wanted to gather a membership and report on acres regenerated
for the X Prize. But clearly we need more than a claim of regeneration. We need a user-friendly methodology we can all use to validate our claims.
We would love to hear our members' thoughts about this, methods you use, methods you like. Ultimately we would love to have a working committee to propose a methodology for ERA and its members to help us consolidate data and communicate our impacts. Please
share your thoughts in this thread and if anyone is interested in participating in a working committee to develop a proposal for a unified MRV system (Measurement, Reporting, Verification) please let us know.For the steering committee,
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| ANANDA FITZSIMMONS |
| Présidente du conseil d'administration
President of the Board of Directors |
| regenerationcanada.org |
| 438 820 1760 |
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