Biomass and production of an aspen – mixed hardwood – spodosol ecosystem in northern Wisconsin

Abstract

Total biomass of an aspen – mixed hardwood – spodosol ecosystem in northern Wisconsin, U.S.A., was 197 t/ha and net primary production was 11.5 t/ha per year. Populustremuloides Michx. accounted for 60% of the total biomass and 56% of the annual production and Acersaccharum Marsh, accounted for 25% of the biomass and 28% of the annual production. For all species combined, bole wood was 63% of the total biomass and bole bark was 12%. Bole wood was 33% and bole bark was 7% of the total production. Although crowns accounted for only 15% of the total biomass, they were responsible for 49% of net annual production. Using allometric equations from the literature, root biomass and production were calculated as being approximately 10% of the total biomass and of the annual production. The average rate of total production per unit leaf tissue was 5.7 g production/g leaf tissue for P. tremuloides and 3.7 g/g for A. saccharum.