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.

Use of Randomized Branch and Importance Sampling to Estimate Loblolly Pine Biomass

1989 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 181-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger A. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Importance Sampling ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Sampling Error ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Tree Biomass ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Source Of Error

Abstract A previously developed sampling method utilizing randomized branch and importance sampling for the purpose of quickly estimating tree biomass was tested on five loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees. Results show a wide range of per-tree sampling error, ranging from 5.3 to 28.9%. Largevariation in foliage content among selected branches per treee may be a major source of error. However, the sampling error for the total biomass of the five trees tested was only 3.3%. This sampling method appears to be reliable and efficient in obtaining precise estimates of the total biomassof a population of trees. Increased sampling intensity per tree is necessary to obtain precise estimates of individual tree biomass. South. J. Appl. For. 13(4):181-184.

scholarly journals Biological Aspects of Mountain Pine Beetle in Lodgepole Pine Stands of Different Densities in Colorado, USA

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Negrón
Keyword(s):  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Tree Diameter ◽  
Mountain Pine ◽  
Pine Beetle ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Pine Stands

Research Highlights: The biology of mountain pine beetle (MPB), Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, in Colorado’s lodgepole pine forests exhibits similarities and differences to other parts of its range. Brood emergence was not influenced by stand density nor related to tree diameter. The probability of individual tree attack is influenced by stocking and tree size. Findings have implications for understanding MPB as a disturbance agent and for developing management strategies. Background and Objectives: MPB causes extensive tree mortality of lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon, across the western US and Canada and is probably the most studied bark beetle in North America. However, most of the current knowledge on the biology and ecology of MPB in lodgepole pine comes from the Intermountain Region of the US and western Canada. Little information is available from Colorado. This is the first study addressing effects of stand stocking levels on the biology of MPB and quantifying phloem consumption. In addition, although data are available on the conditions that foster stand infestation, this is the first study estimating the probability of individual tree attack among stands of known different stocking. Materials and Methods: Studies were conducted in managed lodgepole pine stands in Colorado. Unbaited traps were used to monitor MPB flight across stands of different densities. Cages were used to monitor emergence and bark samples to determine attack densities, and phloem consumption in trees growing under different stocking. Beetle collections were used to determine emergence across the growing season. Tree mortality data from plots of different densities were used to examine the probability of individual tree infestation. Results: More beetles were caught flying through higher density stands. More attacks were observed in lower stocking stands but there were no differences in the number of insects emerging nor phloem consumption. There was no relationship between tree size and beetle emergence. Peak flight occurred in early to mid-August and only one peak of beetle emergence occurred. The probability of tree attack was influenced by stand stocking and tree diameter. Conclusions: In general, aspects of the biology of MPB in Colorado exhibit similarities and differences with other regions. The data suggest the need to more closely examine how MPB functions in stands of different stocking and how the distribution of tree sizes influence the probability of infestation and extent of mortality in stands. Biological characteristics of MPB in Colorado need further examination, particularly as climate change continues to manifest. Baseline information will be critical to refine management approaches, and extend the understanding of how MPB contributes to shape forest composition and structure in Colorado.

Biomass and net annual primary production regressions for Populusgrandidentata on three sites in northern lower Michigan

1980 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg J. Koerper ◽  
Curtis J. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Annual Production ◽  
Clonal Variation ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Unit Leaf ◽  
Leaf Weight ◽  
Production Values ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Poor Site

Dimension analysis techniques were used in the harvest of 31 largetooth aspen (Populusgrandidentata Michx.) from three mature stands (55 ± 7 years) representing a wide range of soil quality and clonal variation among aspen in northern lower Michigan, U.S.A. Regression equations were derived to predict component biomass and net annual production from tree dbh. Evaluation by analysis of covariance indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) in regression models among the sites.Total aboveground biomass of P. grandidentata was 171 565, 128 765, and 38 530 kg/ha at the good, intermediate, and poor soil sites where largetooth aspen constituted 81.5, 79.0, and 48.3% of the stand basal area, respectively. Corresponding aboveground net annual production values were 11 038, 7259, and 2925 kg/ha. Component percentages of total biomass were generally similar among sites, except for leaves. Variations in production percentages showed a production per unit leaf weight gradient parallel to the site quality gradient (i.e., poor site production per unit leaf weight was 33% less than the good site value). The errors inherent in the substitution of regressions derived from data from other sites were examined. Total biomass estimates ranged from −27 to +40% of accepted values. Errors for individual components ranged from −33 to +51%. Total aboveground biomass estimates from regressions for the combined data from all sites were acceptable within a standard error of the mean on the good and intermediate sites and with an allowance of 19% error on the poor site.

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.

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 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 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.

Fire regime shift linked to increased forest density in a piñon–juniper savanna landscape

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellis Q. Margolis
Keyword(s):  
Regime Shift ◽  
Fire History ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Fire Frequency ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
High Severity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
In Fire

Piñon–juniper (PJ) fire regimes are generally characterised as infrequent high-severity. However, PJ ecosystems vary across a large geographic and bio-climatic range and little is known about one of the principal PJ functional types, PJ savannas. It is logical that (1) grass in PJ savannas could support frequent, low-severity fire and (2) exclusion of frequent fire could explain increased tree density in PJ savannas. To assess these hypotheses I used dendroecological methods to reconstruct fire history and forest structure in a PJ-dominated savanna. Evidence of high-severity fire was not observed. From 112 fire-scarred trees I reconstructed 87 fire years (1547–1899). Mean fire interval was 7.8 years for fires recorded at ≥2 sites. Tree establishment was negatively correlated with fire frequency (r=–0.74) and peak PJ establishment was synchronous with dry (unfavourable) conditions and a regime shift (decline) in fire frequency in the late 1800s. The collapse of the grass-fuelled, frequent, surface fire regime in this PJ savanna was likely the primary driver of current high tree density (mean=881treesha–1) that is >600% of the historical estimate. Variability in bio-climatic conditions likely drive variability in fire regimes across the wide range of PJ ecosystems.

Biomass allocation in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants grown under partial rootzone drying: enhancement of root growth

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren M. Mingo ◽  
Julian C. Theobald ◽  
Mark A. Bacon ◽  
William J. Davies ◽  
Ian C. Dodd
Keyword(s):  
Lycopersicon Esculentum ◽  
Root System ◽  
Biomass Allocation ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Split Root ◽  
Split Root System ◽  
Partial Rootzone Drying ◽  
And Control

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants were grown in either a glasshouse (GH) or a controlled environment cabinet (CEC) to assess the effects of partial rootzone drying (PRD) on biomass allocation. Control and PRD plants received the same amounts of water. In control plants, water was equally distributed between two compartments of a split-root system. In PRD plants, only one compartment was watered while the other was allowed to dry. At the end of each drying cycle, wet and dry compartments were alternated. In the GH, total biomass did not differ between PRD and control plants after four cycles of PRD, but PRD increased root biomass by 55% as resources were partitioned away from shoot organs. In the CEC, leaf water potential did not differ between treatments at the end of either of two cycles of PRD, but stomatal conductance of PRD plants was 20% less at the end of the first cycle than at the beginning. After two cycles of PRD in the CEC, biomass did not differ between PRD and control plants, but PRD increased root biomass by 19% over the control plants. The promotion of root biomass in PRD plants was associated with the alternation of wet and dry compartments, with increased root biomass occurring in the re-watered compartment after previous exposure to soil drying. Promotion of root biomass in field-grown PRD plants may allow the root system to access resources (water and nutrients) that would otherwise be unavailable to control plants. This may contribute to the ability of PRD plants to maintain similar leaf water potentials to conventionally irrigated plants, even when smaller irrigation volumes are supplied.

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