Abstract
Our research of common aspen (Populus tremula L.) focused on the forested mountainous area in central Slovakia. Forest stands (specifically 27 plots from 9 sites) with ages between 2 and 15 years were included in measurements and sampling. Whole tree biomass of aspen individuals was destructively sampled, separated into tree components (leaves, branches, stem, and roots), and then dried and weighed. Subsamples of fresh leaves from three crown parts (upper, middle, and lower) were scanned, dried, and weighed. Allometric biomass models with stem base diameter as an independent variable were derived for individual tree components. Basic foliage traits, i.e., leaf mass, leaf area, and specific leaf area, were modelled with regard to tree size and leaf position within the crown. Moreover, biomass stock of the woody parts and foliage as well as the leaf area index were modelled using mean stand diameter as an independent variable. Foliage traits changed with both tree size and crown part. Biomass models showed that foliage contribution to total tree biomass decreased with tree size. The total foliage area of a tree increased with tree size, reaching its maximum value of about 12 m2 for a tree with a diameter of 120 mm. Leaf area index increased with mean stand diameter, reaching a maximum value of 13.5 m2 m−2. Since no data for biomass allocation for common aspen had been available at either the tree or stand levels, our findings might serve for both theoretical (e.g., modelling of growth processes) and practical (forestry and agro-forestry stakeholders) purposes.
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Claims 6
Claim · model-written summary
Allometric biomass models used stem base diameter for individual tree components.
Not reportedValue
Verbatim
e0“Allometric biomass models with stem base diameter as an independent variable were derived for individual tree components.”
t0“Common Aspen”
Claim · model-written summary
Foliage traits changed with tree size.
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“Foliage traits changed with both tree size and crown part.”
t0“Common Aspen”
Claim · model-written summary
Foliage traits changed with crown part.
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“Foliage traits changed with both tree size and crown part.”
t0“Common Aspen”
Claim · model-written summary
Foliage contribution to total tree biomass declined with tree size.
Verbatim
e0“Biomass models showed that foliage contribution to total tree biomass decreased with tree size.”
t0“Common Aspen”
Claim · model-written summary
Total foliage area rose with tree size, reaching about 12 m2 at 120 mm tree diameter.
Verbatim
e0“The total foliage area of a tree increased with tree size, reaching its maximum value of about 12 m2 for a tree with a diameter of 120 mm.”
t0“Common Aspen”
Claim · model-written summary
Stand leaf area index increased with mean stand diameter to 13.5 m2 m−2.
Verbatim
e0“Leaf area index increased with mean stand diameter, reaching a maximum value of 13.5 m2 m−2.”
t0“Common Aspen”