**Step 3: Computation of Leaf Area Index (LAI) from FVC**

For each pixel, the FVC is converted to Leaf Area Index (LAI) by means of the formula of [48]. The LAI, defined, as the total one-sided leaf area per unit ground area, is one of the most important parameters characterizing a canopy. Because LAI most directly quantifies the plant canopy structure, it is highly related to a variety of canopy processes, such as evapotranspi‐ ration, interception, photosynthesis and respiration.

LAI= –2Ln (1 – FVC).
