Size-specific biomass allocation and water content of above- and below-ground components of three Eucalyptus species in a northern Australian savanna

2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Werner ◽  
Peter G. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Biomass Allocation ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Eucalyptus Species ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Individual Trees

The biomass of component parts of individuals of three dominant canopy tree species in the northern savannas of Australia was determined from field populations in World Heritage Kakadu National Park. Forty individual trees of Eucalyptus tetrodonta F. Muell., E. miniata Cunn. ex Schauer and E. papuana F.Muell., representing a range in size from 4 to 50 cm diameter at breast height (DBH), were felled for dry biomass of leaves, branches, woody stems and bark. Forty-seven other trees of E. tetrodonta and E. miniata were excavated for belowground biomass, by using trenching methods. The average proportion of aboveground biomass in foliage was 3–5%, to branches 20–32%, and trunk wood 77–59%, with little change over the size of a tree. Water content of foliage decreased with size of tree in all species, indicating an increasing xeromorphy as the trees age. Gross morphology of roots was bimorphic, with 70% of biomass at <20-cm soil depth, and large roots running horizontally on top of the shallow (0.3–1.4 m) ferricrete layer. There was no evidence of roots having access to water below this layer. Patterns of heights, percentage biomass allocation, percentage water content, and bark thickness of the three species were consistent with the rank order of their distributions across a topographic gradient, reflecting relative capacities to withstand drought, belowground competition and fire. By using tree diameter as the independent variable (x in cm DBH), allometric relationships were calculated to provide a method for calculating growth and productivity by using non-destructive repeat measures of sizes of trees. The total aboveground biomass (y in kg) of individual trees is y = 0.2068x2.3191 for E. tetrodonta, y = 0.1527x2.390 for E. miniata and y = 0.0356x2.8567 for E. papuana. Total belowground biomass per tree for E. tetrodonta is y = 31.150e0.0601x and for E. miniata, y = 28.753e0.0644x. As a tree grows, the aboveground biomass increases as a power function and belowground biomass as an exponential function of DBH, producing a decreasing proportion of total biomass below ground, e.g. the root/shoot ratio of E. tetrodonta is 0.50 for trees <10 cm DBH, 0.40 for trees 20 cm DBH, and 0.25 for trees 40–55 cm DBH. The overall proportion of total biomass below ground in Kakadu is well below 50%, contrary to the commonly accepted notion that the majority of biomass in savannas is below ground.

scholarly journals Changes of Aboveground and Belowground Biomass Allocation in Four Dominant Grassland Species Across a Precipitation Gradient

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongjie Liu ◽  
Mingjie Xu ◽  
Guoe Li ◽  
Mingxia Wang ◽  
Zhenqing Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Allocation ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Precipitation Amount ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Leymus Chinensis ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Precipitation Gradient ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Artemisia Frigida ◽  
Allocation Patterns

Climate change is predicted to affect plant growth, but also the allocation of biomass to aboveground and belowground plant parts. To date, studies have mostly focused on aboveground biomass, while belowground biomass and allocation patterns have received less attention. We investigated changes in biomass allocation along a controlled gradient of precipitation in an experiment with four plant species (Leymus chinensis, Stipa grandis, Artemisia frigida, and Potentilla acaulis) dominant in Inner Mongolia steppe. Results showed that aboveground biomass, belowground biomass and total biomass all increased with increasing growing season precipitation, as expected in this water-limited ecosystem. Biomass allocation patterns also changed along the precipitation gradient, but significant variation between species was apparent. Specifically, the belowground biomass: aboveground biomass ratio (i.e., B:A ratio) of S. grandis was not impacted by precipitation amount, while B:A ratios of the other three species changed in different ways along the gradient. Some of these differences in allocation strategies may be related to morphological differences, specifically, the presence of rhizomes or stolons, though no consistent patterns emerged. Isometric partitioning, i.e., constant allocation of biomass aboveground and belowground, seemed to occur for one species (S. grandis), but not for the three rhizome or stolon-forming ones. Indeed, for these species, the slope of the allometric regression between log-transformed belowground biomass and log-transformed aboveground biomass significantly differed from 1.0 and B:A ratios changed along the precipitation gradient. As changes in biomass allocation can affect ecosystem functioning and services, our results can be used as a basis for further studies into allocation patterns, especially in a context of environmental change.

scholarly journals Effects of Stand Age on Biomass Allocation and Allometry of Quercus Acutissima in the Central Loess Plateau of China

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Yang ◽  
Wenyan Xue ◽  
Shichuan Yu ◽  
Jianyun Zhou ◽  
Wenhui Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Allocation ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Stem Bark ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Tree Biomass ◽  
Quercus Acutissima ◽  
Stem Wood ◽  
Biomass Equations ◽  
Total Tree

We studied the effects of stand age on allocation and equation fitting of aboveground and below-ground biomass in four Quercus acutissima stands (14, 31, 46, and 63 years old) in the Central Loess Plateau of China. The stem wood, stem bark, branch, foliage, and belowground biomass of each of the 20 destructive harvesting trees were quantified. The mean total biomass of each tree was 28.8, 106.8, 380.6, and 603.4 kg/tree in the 14-, 31-, 46-, and 63-year-old stands, respectively. Aboveground biomass accounted for 72.25%, 73.05%, 76.14%, and 80.37% of the total tree biomass in the 14-, 31-, 46-, and 63-year-old stands, respectively, and stem wood was the major component of tree biomass. The proportion of stem (with bark) biomass to total tree biomass increased with stand age while the proportions of branch, foliage, and belowground biomass to total tree biomass decreased with stand age. The ratio of belowground biomass to aboveground biomass decreased from 0.39 in the 14-year-old stand to 0.37, 0.31, and 0.24 in the 31-, 46-, and 63-year-old stands, respectively. Age-specific biomass equations in each stand were developed for stem wood, stem bark, aboveground, and total tree. The inclusion of tree height as a second variable improved the total tree biomass equation fitting for middle-aged (31-year-old and 46-year-old) stands but not young (14 years old) and mature (63 years old) stands. Moreover, biomass conversion and expansion factors (BCEFs) varied with stand age, showing a decreasing trend with increasing stand age. These results indicate that stand age alters the biomass allocation of Q. acutissima and results in age-specific allometric biomass equations and BCEFs. Therefore, to obtain accurate estimates of Q. acutissima forest biomass and carbon stocks, age-specific changes need to be considered.

Belowground and aboveground biomass in young postfire lodgepole pine forests of contrasting tree density

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Creighton M Litton ◽  
Michael G Ryan ◽  
Daniel B Tinker ◽  
Dennis H Knight
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Allocation ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Basal Diameter ◽  
Coarse Root ◽  
Wide Range

As much as 40% of live biomass in coniferous forests is located belowground, yet the effect of tree density on biomass allocation is poorly understood. We developed allometric equations using traditional harvesting techniques to estimate coarse root biomass for [Formula: see text]13-year-old postfire lodgepole pine trees (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.). We then used these equations, plus estimates of fine root and aboveground biomass, to estimate total tree biomass and belowground to aboveground biomass ratios in young postfire lodgepole pine stands with a wide range of tree densities. Belowground biomass allocation increased with tree density, but the increase was largely determined by inherent differences associated with tree size, not competition. Stand biomass in trees ranged from 46 to 5529 kg·ha–1 belowground, from 176 to 9400 kg·ha–1 aboveground, and from 222 to 13 685 kg·ha–1 for total biomass. For individual trees, the ratio of belowground to total biomass declined with tree size from 0.44 at a basal diameter of 0.5 cm to 0.11 at a basal diameter of 8 cm. This shift in individual tree allocation caused the proportion of total stand biomass in belowground tissues to increase from 19% in low-density stands with larger trees to 31% in high-density stands with small trees.

Seasonal Biomass and Starch Allocation of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) (Haplotype I) in Southern Alabama, USA

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan M. Wersal ◽  
John D. Madsen ◽  
Joshua C. Cheshier
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Life History ◽  
Phragmites Australis ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
The United States ◽  
Common Reed ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Allocation Patterns

AbstractCommon reed (Phragmites australis) is a nonnative invasive perennial grass that is problematic in aquatic and riparian environments across the United States. Common reed often forms monotypic stands that displace native vegetation which provide food and cover for wildlife. To help maintain native habitats and manage populations of common reed in the United States, an understanding of its life history and starch allocation patterns are needed. Monthly biomass samples were harvested from sites throughout the Mobile River delta in southern Alabama, USA from January 2006 to December 2007 to quantify seasonal biomass and starch allocation patterns. Total biomass of common reed throughout the study was between 1375 and 3718 g m−2 depending on the season. Maximum aboveground biomass was 2200 ± 220 g m−2 in October of 2006 and 1302 ± 88 g m−2 in December of 2007. Maximum belowground biomass was seen in November of 2006 and 2007 with 1602 ± 233 and 1610 ± 517 g m−2 respectively. Biomass was related to ambient temperature, in that, as temperature decreased aboveground biomass (p = 0.05) decreased. Decreases in aboveground biomass were followed by an increase in belowground biomass (p < 0.01). Starch comprised 1 to 10% of aboveground biomass with peak temporary storage occurring in July and August 2006 and September to November of 2007. Belowground tissues stored the majority of starch for common reed regardless of the time of year. Overall, belowground tissues stored 5 to 20% of total starch for common reed with peak storage occurring in December 2006 and October 2007. Starch allocation to belowground tissues increased as temperatures decreased. Understanding seasonal life history patterns can provide information to guide management strategies by identifying the vulnerable points in biomass and starch reserves in common reed.

Relationships between aboveground and belowground biomass stock – a case study from mountain area temperate forests in the northern Carpathians

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Zielonka ◽  
Marek Drewnik ◽  
Łukasz Musielok ◽  
Dariusz Struzik ◽  
Grzegorz Smułek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Temperate Forests ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Mountain Area ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Aboveground And Belowground Biomass

&lt;p&gt;The content of organic carbon in forest is partitioned between organic carbon accumulated in aboveground biomass (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB) and is impacted by various natural and human factors. Growing interest in estimates of global biomass (and organic carbon) pools require research on a local scale in the context of potential environmental factors affecting their spatial distribution. Therefore, our aim of the research was to both derive and evaluate the relationship between aboveground biomass consisting mainly of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) and fir (Abies alba Mill.) and BGB with particular emphasis on fine root biomass (FRB) as the most dynamic part of the root system and soil organic matter stock (SOM). Data were collected at 32 national forest inventory plots in mountainous temperate forests with different history of forest management located across the Carpathian range in Poland. All study plots were characterized with very similar soil properties (Cambisols). Moreover, numerous environmental factors affecting biomass distribution were taken under consideration. The largest aboveground biomass occurred in beech-dominated stands (~40 Mg ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; to over ~ 440 Mg ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;). In the sampled depth layer (0-40 cm) the highest SOM stock was identified in soils under beech-dominated stands (median ~158 Mg ha-1). FRB was the highest under fir-dominated stands (median ~3.7 Mg ha-1). The amount of SOM and FRB differed also in the analyzed soil depth layers (10 cm interval up to 40 cm) reaching mostly the highest values at soil depths of 0-10 cm. The highest amount of biomass (both aboveground and the belowground) has been identified in beech-dominated forests. We examined relationships between AGB, FRB, and SOM, but were not able to identify clear significant correlations based only on vegetation parameters. Derived results illustrate the complexity of identifying significant relationships between aboveground and belowground biomass stocks. Employing the same models may be an erroneous strategy for different study sites because of local environmental factors that strongly determine aboveground and belowground biomass stock. Accordingly, creating biomass and carbon models at larger scales in northern Carpathians based on forest aboveground data may cause an over- or underestimation due to the significant impact of both abiotic and biotic factors.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This research study was funded by the Polish National Science Centre (RS4FOR Project: Forest change detection and monitoring using passive and active remote sensing data (No. 2015/19/B/ST10/02127) and via Project No. UJ/IGiGP/K/DSC/004779.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Effect of Density on Mediterranean Pine Seedlings Using the Nelder Wheel Design: Analysis of Biomass Production

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Ruano ◽  
Celia Herrero ◽  
Felipe Bravo
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Pinus Pinaster ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Pinus Halepensis ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
Mediterranean Pine ◽  
Positive Effect

Abstract BackgroundForest resilience should be improved to promote species adaptation and ensure the future of forests. Carbon stock is considered an indicator of resilience, so it is necessary to determine forest carbon stocks and how to improve them through forest management. The main objective of this study was to analyse biomass production and distribution among the components of four-year-old Pinus pinaster and Pinus halepensis trees. Young trees from a Nelder wheel experimental site were harvested and analysed. The effect of density could be included in the biomass analysis thanks to the Nelder wheel design. We tested densities from 1000 to 80000 seedlings/ha and analysed biomass by fitting different equations: (i) linear regressions to analyse biomass production; (ii) Dirichlet regressions to estimate the biomass proportions of each component and (iii) allometric equations to predict the biomass content of each component.ResultsResults from this innovative approach showed that density was a significant factor for Pinus halepensis. We observed a general increase of total biomass at lower densities and this positive effect increased root biomass proportion at the expense of aboveground biomass. Also, a new set of equations was developed for estimating above- and below-ground biomass in young Pinus pinaster and Pinus halepensis trees.Conclusionswe note the importance of belowground biomass and its value in total biomass production (approximately 20% of total biomass for both species). The effect of density on biomass production was only significant for Pinus halepensis, but the effect of density would have been different if root biomass had not been considered in the present study. Lower densities increased root biomass proportion at the expense of aboveground biomass. Currently, this positive effect is especially important in promoting management to improve tree resilience.

Quantifying the coarse-root biomass of intensively managed loblolly pine plantations

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley T Miller ◽  
H Lee Allen ◽  
Chris A Maier
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Carbon Accumulation ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Coarse Roots ◽  
Coarse Root ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Intensively Managed

Most of the carbon accumulation during a forest rotation is in plant biomass and the forest floor. Most of the belowground biomass in older loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) forests is in coarse roots, and coarse roots persist longer after harvest than aboveground biomass and fine roots. The main objective was to assess the carbon accumulation in coarse roots of a loblolly pine plantation that was subjected to different levels of management intensity. Total belowground biomass ranged from 56.4 to 62.4 Mt·ha–1 and was not affected by treatment. Vegetation control and disking increased pine taproot biomass and decreased hardwood taproot biomass. Pines between tree coarse roots were unaffected by treatment, but hardwoods between tree coarse roots were significantly reduced by vegetation control. Necromass was substantially lower than between-tree biomass, indicating that decomposition of coarse-root biomass from the previous stand was rapid for between-tree coarse roots. Total aboveground biomass was increased by vegetation control, with the lowest production on the least intensively managed plots (180.2 Mt·ha–1) and the highest production on the most intensively managed plots (247.3 Mt·ha–1). Coarse-root biomass ranged from 19% to 24% of total biomass. Silvicultural practices increasing aboveground pine productivity did not increase total coarse-root biomass carbon because of the difference in root/shoot allocation between pine and hardwood species.

scholarly journals Aboveground Biomass Allocation of Boreal Shrubs and Short-Stature Trees in Northwestern Canada

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 234
Author(s):  
Linda Flade ◽  
Christopher Hopkinson ◽  
Laura Chasmer
Keyword(s):  
Short Stature ◽  
Biomass Allocation ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Leaf Biomass ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Plant Component ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Allometric Models ◽  
Stem Biomass ◽  
Model Fits

In this follow-on study on aboveground biomass of shrubs and short-stature trees, we provide plant component aboveground biomass (herein ‘AGB’) as well as plant component AGB allometric models for five common boreal shrub and four common boreal short-stature tree genera/species. The analyzed plant components consist of stem, branch, and leaf organs. We found similar ratios of component biomass to total AGB for stems, branches, and leaves amongst shrubs and deciduous tree genera/species across the southern Northwest Territories, while the evergreen Picea genus differed in the biomass allocation to aboveground plant organs compared to the deciduous genera/species. Shrub component AGB allometric models were derived using the three-dimensional variable volume as predictor, determined as the sum of line-intercept cover, upper foliage width, and maximum height above ground. Tree component AGB was modeled using the cross-sectional area of the stem diameter as predictor variable, measured at 0.30 m along the stem length. For shrub component AGB, we achieved better model fits for stem biomass (60.33 g ≤ RMSE ≤ 163.59 g; 0.651 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.885) compared to leaf biomass (12.62 g ≤ RMSE ≤ 35.04 g; 0.380 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.735), as has been reported by others. For short-stature trees, leaf biomass predictions resulted in similar model fits (18.21 g ≤ RMSE ≤ 70.0 g; 0.702 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.882) compared to branch biomass (6.88 g ≤ RMSE ≤ 45.08 g; 0.736 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.923) and only slightly better model fits for stem biomass (30.87 g ≤ RMSE ≤ 11.72 g; 0.887 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.960), which suggests that leaf AGB of short-stature trees (<4.5 m) can be more accurately predicted using cross-sectional area as opposed to diameter at breast height for tall-stature trees. Our multi-species shrub and short-stature tree allometric models showed promising results for predicting plant component AGB, which can be utilized for remote sensing applications where plant functional types cannot always be distinguished. This study provides critical information on plant AGB allocation as well as component AGB modeling, required for understanding boreal AGB and aboveground carbon pools within the dynamic and rapidly changing Taiga Plains and Taiga Shield ecozones. In addition, the structural information and component AGB equations are important for integrating shrubs and short-stature tree AGB into carbon accounting strategies in order to improve our understanding of the rapidly changing boreal ecosystem function.

scholarly journals Effect of thinning intensity on understory herbaceous diversity and biomass in mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests of Changbai Mountain

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerong Wang ◽  
Yue Sun ◽  
Mo Zhou ◽  
Naiqian Guan ◽  
Yuwen Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Herb Layer ◽  
Simpson Index ◽  
Thinning Intensity ◽  
Ground Biomass ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Understory Herb

Abstract Background Herbs are an important part of the forest ecosystem, and their diversity and biomass can reflect the restoration of vegetation after forest thinning disturbances. Based on the near-mature secondary coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest in Jilin Province Forestry Experimental Zone, this study analyzed seasonal changes of species diversity and biomass of the understory herb layer after different intensities of thinning. Results The results showed that although the composition of herbaceous species and the ranking of importance values were affected by thinning intensity, they were mainly determined by seasonal changes. Across the entire growing season, the species with the highest importance values in thinning treatments included Carex pilosa, Aegopodium alpestre, Meehania urticifolia, and Filipendula palmata, which dominated the herb layer of the coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest. The number of species, Margalef index, Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson index all had their highest values in May, and gradually decreased with months. Pielou index was roughly inverted “N” throughout the growing season. Thinning did not increase the species diversity. Thinning can promote the total biomass, above- and below-ground biomass. The number of plants per unit area and coverage were related to the total biomass, above- and below-ground biomass. The average height had a significantly positive correlation with herb biomass in May but not in July. However, it exerted a significantly negative correlation with herb biomass in September. The biomass in the same month increased with increasing thinning intensity. Total herb biomass, above- and below-ground biomass showed positive correlations with Shannon-Winner index, Simpson index and Pielou evenness index in May. Conclusions Thinning mainly changed the light environment in the forest, which would improve the plant diversity and biomass of herb layer in a short time. And different thinning intensity had different effects on the diversity of understory herb layer. The findings provide theoretical basis and reference for reasonable thinning and tending in coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests.

Spectral assessments of wheat plants grown in pots and containers under saline conditions

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Hackl ◽  
Bodo Mistele ◽  
Yuncai Hu ◽  
Urs Schmidhalter
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Leaf Water Content ◽  
Spectral Indices ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Normalised Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Spectral Sensing ◽  
Reflectance Ratio

Spectral measurements allow fast nondestructive assessment of plant traits under controlled greenhouse and close-to-field conditions. Field crop stands differ from pot-grown plants, which may affect the ability to assess stress-related traits by nondestructive high-throughput measurements. This study analysed the potential to detect salt stress-related traits of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars grown in pots or in a close-to-field container platform. In two experiments, selected spectral indices assessed by active and passive spectral sensing were related to the fresh weight of the aboveground biomass, the water content of the aboveground biomass, the leaf water potential and the relative leaf water content of two cultivars with different salt tolerance. The traits were better ascertained by spectral sensing of container-grown plants compared with pot-grown plants. This may be due to a decreased match between the sensors’ footprint and the plant area of the pot-grown plants, which was further characterised by enhanced senescence of lower leaves. The reflectance ratio R760 : R670, the normalised difference vegetation index and the reflectance ratio R780 : R550 spectral indices were the best indices and were significantly related to the fresh weight, the water content of the aboveground biomass and the water potential of the youngest fully developed leaf. Passive sensors delivered similar relationships to active sensors. Across all treatments, both cultivars were successfully differentiated using either destructively or nondestructively assessed parameters. Although spectral sensors provide fast and qualitatively good assessments of the traits of salt-stressed plants, further research is required to describe the potential and limitations of spectral sensing.

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