Dataset Information

Allocation of forest net primary production varies by forest age and air temperature.

ABSTRACT: Carbon partition among plant parts has a vital influence not only on the growth of individual plants but also on decomposition, carbon and nitrogen sequestration, and plant-atmosphere water exchange. Although many studies have tried to reveal plant growth mechanisms using observational living biomass or the biomass ratio among different organs, knowledge and understanding about carbon partition is still scarce and exists much uncertainty. In this work, a dataset about 1,089 sample plots of natural forests downloaded from the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) was used to explore the dependences of net primary production (NPP) partition among foliage, stem and branch, and root on forest age, and mean annual temperature (MAT). The results found that (a) for all forest types, NPP partition had a significant relationship with forest age (p < 0.0001), that is, younger plants usually allocated a higher proportion of the NPP to stems, branches, and roots. As plants aged, an increasing proportion of the NPP was allocated to foliage; (b) MAT was negatively correlated with the proportions of the NPP allocated to foliage (F _leaf; %) and roots (F _root; %), while proportions of the NPP allocated to stems and branches (F _stbr; %) were positively dependent on MAT; (c) independent effect analysis demonstrated that forest age had a larger direct influence on F _leaf and F _root, while MAT was relatively important for F _stbr; and (d) forest age and MAT had a stronger combined effect on NPP allocation for broad-leaved forests, while for needled-leaved forests, the influences of forest age and MAT existed large differences among different forest types. This work not only is important for understanding the contribution of climatic factor and forest age on forest NPP partition, but also provides valuable ideas for developing ecological models.

SUBMITTER: Song X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6303727 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Allocation of forest net primary production varies by forest age and air temperature.

Song Xiang X Zeng Xiaodong X Tian Dongxiao D

Ecology and evolution 20181114 23

Carbon partition among plant parts has a vital influence not only on the growth of individual plants but also on decomposition, carbon and nitrogen sequestration, and plant-atmosphere water exchange. Although many studies have tried to reveal plant growth mechanisms using observational living biomass or the biomass ratio among different organs, knowledge and understanding about carbon partition is still scarce and exists much uncertainty. In this work, a dataset about 1,089 sample plots of natur ...[more]

PMID: 30598808

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Project description:The allocation of the net primary productivity (NPP) of an ecosystem between canopy, woody tissue and fine roots is an important descriptor of the functioning of that ecosystem, and an important feature to correctly represent in terrestrial ecosystem models. Here, we collate and analyse a global dataset of NPP allocation in tropical forests, and compare this with the representation of NPP allocation in 13 terrestrial ecosystem models. On average, the data suggest an equal partitioning of allocation between all three main components (mean 34 ± 6% canopy, 39 ± 10% wood, 27 ± 11% fine roots), but there is substantial site-to-site variation in allocation to woody tissue versus allocation to fine roots. Allocation to canopy (leaves, flowers and fruit) shows much less variance. The mean allocation of the ecosystem models is close to the mean of the data, but the spread is much greater, with several models reporting allocation partitioning outside of the spread of the data. Where all main components of NPP cannot be measured, litterfall is a good predictor of overall NPP (r(2) = 0.83 for linear fit forced through origin), stem growth is a moderate predictor and fine root production a poor predictor. Across sites the major component of variation of allocation is a shifting allocation between wood and fine roots, with allocation to the canopy being a relatively invariant component of total NPP. This suggests the dominant allocation trade-off is a 'fine root versus wood' trade-off, as opposed to the expected 'root-shoot' trade-off; such a trade-off has recently been posited on theoretical grounds for old-growth forest stands. We conclude by discussing the systematic biases in estimates of allocation introduced by missing NPP components, including herbivory, large leaf litter and root exudates production. These biases have a moderate effect on overall carbon allocation estimates, but are smaller than the observed range in allocation values across sites.

Dataset Information

Allocation of forest net primary production varies by forest age and air temperature.

Publications

Allocation of forest net primary production varies by forest age and air temperature.

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