Exploring the spatiotemporal variability of leaf area index and its influence on land surface temperature: A city-scale analysis in Hong Kong

Key Points

• Leaf area index significantly correlates with land surface temperature fluctuations across different areas of Hong Kong.
• Seasonal variations demonstrate that during warmer months, increased vegetation cover can reduce land surface temperatures by up to 3 degrees Celsius.
• Analysis of satellite imagery allowed for high-resolution assessments of leaf area index and land surface temperature.
• Findings highlight the importance of urban greening initiatives to combat urban heat islands in densely populated areas.