We are in the process of migrating all NASA Earth science data sites into Earthdata from now until end of 2026. Not all NASA Earth science data and resources will appear here until then. Thank you for your patience as we make this transition.
Read about the Web Unification Project
Leaf Area Index Data Access and Tools
NASA has leaf area index datasets that help researchers characterize vegetation around Earth. Access a range of data and data tools to make the most of leaf area index data. Foe example, AppEEARS offers a simple and effective way to extract, transform, visualize, and download MODIS and VIIRS vegetation-related data products. AppEEARS allows users to subset data by defining specific point(s) or area(s) of interest, and output data can be downloaded in csv (point), GeoTIFF (area) or NetCDF4 (area) format.
Leaf Area Index Datasets
| Dataset Sort descending | Version | Platform | Instrument | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seedling Canopy Reflectance Spectra, 1992-1993 (ACCP) | 1 | FIELD INVESTIGATION | SPECTRORADIOMETERS | 1992-11-06 to 1993-03-15 |
N: 37.4015 S: 37.4015 E: -122.048 W: -122.048 |
ASCII | |
| Shrubland Species Cover, Biometric, Carbon and Nitrogen Data, Southern Idaho, 2014 | 1 | LABORATORY, FIELD INVESTIGATION, FIELD SURVEYS | CARBON ANALYZERS, VISUAL OBSERVATIONS, CAMERA | 2014-09-16 to 2014-10-17 |
N: 43.2098 S: 42.299 E: -114.689 W: -116.797 |
CSV | |
| SiB4 Modeled Global 0.5-Degree Daily Carbon Fluxes and Pools, 2000-2018 | 1 | MODELS | Computer | 2000-01-01 to 2018-12-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
netCDF-4 classic | |
| SMAPVEX08 In Situ Vegetation Data V001 | 1 | FIELD SURVEYS | SOIL SAMPLER | 2008-10-02 to 2008-10-07 |
N: 39.02 S: 38.95 E: -75.94 W: -76.09 |
800 Meters x 800 Meters | Excel |
| SMAPVEX16 Manitoba Leaf Area Index V001 | 1 | GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS | CAMERAS | 2016-06-13 to 2016-07-21 |
N: 49.761171 S: 49.384076 E: -97.756264 W: -98.098417 |
CSV, KMZ | |
| SMAPVEX19-22 Massachusetts Field Measured Forest Tree Inventory, Biophysical Data, Leaf Area Index, and Estimated Biomass V001 | 1 | GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS | CAMERAS, LICOR PLANT CANOPY ANALYZER | 2022-04-20 to 2022-08-01 |
N: 42.72 S: 42.32 E: -71.91 W: -72.33 |
200 Meters x 200 Meters | CSV, Shapefile |
| SMAPVEX19-22 Millbrook Field Measured Forest Tree Inventory, Biophysical Data, Leaf Area Index, and Estimated Biomass V001 | 1 | GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS | CAMERAS, LICOR PLANT CANOPY ANALYZER | 2022-04-20 to 2022-08-01 |
N: 42.05 S: 41.66 E: -73.42 W: -73.81 |
200 Meters x 200 Meters | CSV, Shapefile |
| SNF Forest Phenology/Leaf Expansion Data | 1 | FIELD INVESTIGATION | VISUAL OBSERVATIONS | 1984-05-10 to 1984-06-12 |
N: 48.1697 S: 47.6575 E: -91.7658 W: -92.5058 |
ASCII | |
| Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) L4 Carbon Ancillary FPAR Climatology V001 | 1 | Models | NOT APPLICABLE | 2015-01-31 to Present |
N: 86.4 S: -86.4 E: 180 W: -180 |
HDF5 | |
| The ABCflux Database: Arctic-Boreal CO2 Flux and Site Environmental Data, 1989-2020 | 1 | MODELS, FIELD SURVEYS, METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS, FIXED OBSERVATION STATIONS | Computer, PROBES, THERMOMETERS, GAS SENSORS | 1989-12-01 to 2020-09-30 |
N: 82.8225 S: 48.2167 E: 161.55 W: -165.62 |
CSV | |
| Vegetation Biophysical Data (FIFE) | 1 | FIELD INVESTIGATION, LABORATORY | LICOR LEAF AREA METER, INCLINOMETERS, BALANCE | 1987-05-26 to 1989-08-18 |
N: 39.12 S: 38.98 E: -96.45 W: -96.61 |
multiple | |
| VIIRS/JPSS1 Leaf Area Index/FPAR 8-Day L4 Global 500m SIN Grid V002 | 002 | NOAA-20 | VIIRS | 2018-01-01 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
500 Meters x 500 Meters | HDF-EOS5 |
| VIIRS/JPSS2 Leaf Area Index/FPAR 8-Day L4 Global 500m SIN Grid V002 | 002 | NOAA-21 | VIIRS | 2023-02-10 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
500 Meters x 500 Meters | HDF-EOS5 |
| VIIRS/NPP Leaf Area Index/FPAR 8-Day L4 Global 500m SIN Grid V001 | 001 | Suomi-NPP | VIIRS | 2012-01-17 to 2024-06-16 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
500 Meters x 500 Meters | HDF-EOS5 |
| VIIRS/NPP Leaf Area Index/FPAR 8-Day L4 Global 500m SIN Grid V002 | 002 | Suomi-NPP | VIIRS | 2012-01-01 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
500 Meters x 500 Meters | HDF-EOS5 |
Featured Leaf Area Index Observation Method: MODIS
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) continually collects reflectance and other data across 36 channels with global coverage every one to two days. The broad spectral range enables MODIS data to be used in studies across numerous disciplines, including vegetative health as well as changes in land cover and land use.
Join us to learn how to discover, subset, access and visualize both MODIS and VIIRS data products using a suite of user-friendly tools developed by NASA's ORNL DAAC.
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) will help ensure continuity of Earth observations after the upcoming retirement of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS).
The MODIS Team at ORNL DAAC was awarded the national Doug D. Nebert Champion of the World award for their work developing the MODIS tool suite.
Observe changes in land surface temperature over the course of 2017, with NASA Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images.
1 MIN READ
Frequently Asked Questions
Earthdata Forum
Our online forum provides a space for users to browse thousands of FAQs about research needs, data, and data applications. You can also submit new questions for our experts to answer.
Submit Questions to Earthdata Forumand View Expert Responses