Abstract
Allometric equations relating trees’ vascular system and other stem metrics with foliage area and mass are important to estimate their growth, carbon stocks and interactions with abiotic environment in terms of carbon and water balance. In this study we focused on Robinia pseudoacacia restoration plantations in Greece and aimed at establishing species-specific models to predict foliage leaf area and biomass based on stem traits. In particular, we evaluated stem cross-sectional areas of sapwood, current sapwood and total stem (sapwood and heartwood), measured at different tree heights, as predictors of leaf area and mass, based on the pipe model theory. Furthermore, we assessed the variation in the ratios of leaf area to different stem cross-sectional areas across the tree profile and we examined the relationships of diameter at breast height (DBH) with diameter at the base of the live crown and with leaf area. Taking into account the trees’ DBH distribution according to the plantations’ inventory, 25 black locust individuals were destructively sampled and the relationships among the studied traits were analyzed by means of multiple and simple linear regression at p<0.001. Foliage dry mass and area were best predicted by total stem cross-sectional area at mid-bole and stump height (R2=0.81), followed by current sapwood area at stump height (R2=0.74), which outperformed the most often used sapwood area (R2=0.70). DBH was also reliably estimating tree leaf area (R2=0.72) but was less precise, compared to total cross-sectional area, while it was a useful proxy of diameter at the base of the live crown (R2=0.80). In line with the pipe model theory, the ratio of leaf area to total cross-sectional area declined across the canopy basipetally, but only when total cross-sectional area was considered. Deviations from the sapwood-foliage functions described by the pipe model theory may be due to the small sample size and the variability in tree size in such developing restoration plantations. The produced species-specific relationships between stem and foliage metrics may be a useful tool to predict the carbon sequestration and climate change adaptation potential of black locust restoration plantations, which are often characterized by harsh site conditions.
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Claims 6
Claim · model-written summary
Total stem area at mid-bole and stump height best predicted foliage mass and area with R2=0.81.
- Outcome
- Foliage dry mass and areae0
- Direction
- best predictede0
- Value
- R2=0.81e0
- Comparator
- total stem cross-sectional areae0
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“Foliage dry mass and area were best predicted by total stem cross-sectional area at mid-bole and stump height (R2=0.81)”
Claim · model-written summary
Current sapwood area at stump height predicted foliage with R2=0.74.
- Outcome
- current sapwood areae0
- Direction
- outperformede0
- Value
- R2=0.74e0
- Qualifier
- R2=0.70e0
- Comparator
- sapwood areae0
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“followed by current sapwood area at stump height (R2=0.74), which outperformed the most often used sapwood area (R2=0.70).”
Claim · model-written summary
DBH estimated leaf area with R2=0.72 but less precisely than total stem area.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“DBH was also reliably estimating tree leaf area (R2=0.72) but was less precise, compared to total cross-sectional area”
Claim · model-written summary
DBH predicted diameter at the live-crown base with R2=0.80.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“it was a useful proxy of diameter at the base of the live crown (R2=0.80).”
Claim · model-written summary
The ratio of leaf area to total stem area declined basipetally across the canopy.
- Taxon
- black locust
Robinia pseudoacaciat0 - Organ / stage
- canopye0
- Outcome
- ratio of leaf area to total cross-sectional areae0
- Direction
- declinede0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“black locust”
e0“the ratio of leaf area to total cross-sectional area declined across the canopy basipetally, but only when total cross-sectional area was considered.”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors suggest the stem-foliage relationships could predict carbon sequestration and climate adaptation potential.
- Taxon
- black locustRobinia pseudoacaciat0
- Outcome
- carbon sequestration and climate change adaptation potentiale0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“black locust”
e0“The produced species-specific relationships between stem and foliage metrics may be a useful tool to predict the carbon sequestration and climate change adaptation potential of black locust restoration plantations”