How can you find the surface area of a leaf? - Answers

ANSWER 1You might divide the leaf into small rectanges (actually, reasonable approximations of rectangles), and measure length x width for each one. The smaller each rectangle (the narrower, to be precise), the more accurate will the result be.ANSWER 2The answer above is correct, but it will take a long time to produce a high degree of accuracy.The best method depends on the accuracy required. If you require accurate and precise results, use a scientific instrument that's specially designed to measure the area of leaves. E.g. AM300 Leaf Area MeterMy AM300 can store the image, and will analyse it to measure all sorts of useful parameters, like perimeter. I need a lightweight instrument which I can carry for hours, and it only weighs 1.8kg . Other models which are called 'portable' weigh 6.8kg!If you do not require a high degree of accuracy, you can draw around the leaf, then cut out and weigh the paper. By comparison to the weight of a known area of the same paper, you can calculate the area of the leaf. However, when using methods which involve cutting paper, you must cut around the perimeter extremely carefully. Similarly, you must be highly accurate when weighing. I am not sure that paper - even heavy paper - is heavy enough to make the relative error