Abstract
We describe advantages for a shrub compared to a small tree with the same above-ground woody volume, based on larger cross-sectional stem area (Fig. 2b), larger area of photosynthetic tissue in bark and stem, larger vascular cambium area, larger epidermis (bark) area (Fig. 2c) and larger area for sprouting, and faster production of twigs and canopy. We predicted higher growth rate for a small shrub than a small tree, which was supported by empirical studies. Also, a shrub will produce seeds faster than a tree, multiple stems in shrubs insure future survival and growth if one or more stems die, and several structural traits improve survival, compared to tall tree stems. Multi-stemmed trees may be distinguished from shrubs by more upright stems, reducing bending moment (Fig. 6). More information in Götmark et al. 2016: Front. Plant Sci. 7: 1095.
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Claims 5
Claim · model-written summary
Shrubs have greater stem cross-section and associated tissue areas than small trees of equal woody volume.
Verbatim
e0“a shrub compared to a small tree with the same above-ground woody volume, based on larger cross-sectional stem area (Fig. 2b), larger area of photosynthetic tissue in bark and stem, larger vascular cambium area, larger epidermis (bark) area (Fig. 2c) and larger area for sprouting”
Claim · model-written summary
Small shrubs grew faster than small trees, as supported by empirical studies.
Verbatim
e0“We predicted higher growth rate for a small shrub than a small tree, which was supported by empirical studies.”
Claim · model-written summary
Shrubs produce seeds sooner than trees.
Verbatim
e0“a shrub will produce seeds faster than a tree”
Claim · model-written summary
Multiple shrub stems support survival and growth after stem death.
Verbatim
e0“multiple stems in shrubs insure future survival and growth if one or more stems die”
Claim · model-written summary
Multi-stemmed trees have more upright stems than shrubs.
Verbatim
e0“Multi-stemmed trees may be distinguished from shrubs by more upright stems, reducing bending moment”