diff --git a/parameter_files/fates_params_default.cdl b/parameter_files/fates_params_default.cdl
index 91b99c889b..6bb903afd3 100644
--- a/parameter_files/fates_params_default.cdl
+++ b/parameter_files/fates_params_default.cdl
@@ -159,8 +159,8 @@ variables:
 		fates_allom_lmode:units = "index" ;
 		fates_allom_lmode:long_name = "leaf biomass allometry function index" ;
 	float fates_allom_sai_scaler(fates_pft) ;
-		fates_allom_sai_scaler:units = "fraction" ;
-		fates_allom_sai_scaler:long_name = "allometric ratio of SAI to LAI" ;
+		fates_allom_sai_scaler:units = "m2/gC" ;
+		fates_allom_sai_scaler:long_name = "allometric ratio of SAI to target bleaf" ;
 	float fates_allom_smode(fates_pft) ;
 		fates_allom_smode:units = "index" ;
 		fates_allom_smode:long_name = "sapwood allometry function index" ;
@@ -698,7 +698,7 @@ data:
 
  fates_allom_lmode = 1, 1 ;
 
- fates_allom_sai_scaler = 0.1, 0.1 ;
+ fates_allom_sai_scaler = 0.0012, 0.0012 ;
 
  fates_allom_smode = 1, 1 ;