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LeafByte: A mobile application that measures leaf area and herbivory quickly and accurately
Author(s) -
GetmanPickering Zoe L.,
Campbell A.,
Aflitto Nicholas,
Grele Ari,
Davis Julie K.,
Ugine Todd A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
methods in ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.425
H-Index - 105
ISSN - 2041-210X
DOI - 10.1111/2041-210x.13340
Subject(s) - herbivore , metric (unit) , computer science , key (lock) , field (mathematics) , ecology , biology , mathematics , operations management , pure mathematics , economics
In both basic and applied studies, quantification of herbivory on foliage is a key metric in characterizing plant–herbivore interactions, which underpin many ecological, evolutionary and agricultural processes. Current methods of quantifying herbivory are slow or inaccurate. We present LeafByte, a free iOS application for measuring leaf area and herbivory. LeafByte can save data automatically, read and record barcodes, handle both light and dark coloured plant tissue, and be used non‐destructively. We evaluate its accuracy and efficiency relative to existing herbivory assessment tools. LeafByte has the same accuracy as ImageJ, the field standard, but is 50% faster. Other tools, such as BioLeaf and grid quantification, are quick and accurate, but limited in the information they can provide. Visual estimation is quickest, but it only provides a coarse measure of leaf damage and tends to overestimate herbivory. LeafByte is a quick and accurate means of measuring leaf area and herbivory, making it a useful tool for research in fields such as ecology, entomology, agronomy and plant science.