Abstract
ABSTRACTIt is acknowledged that trees biomass allocation in response to environmental conditions. However, it remains poorly understood what strategies of plant biomass allocation with inter- and intraspecific interactions of tree species in forest stands. Such information is important for revealing strategies of plant biomass allocation with plant competition. To address this problem, a study was conducted in Larix principis-rupprechtii plantations to evaluate the impact of plant competition on plant biomass allocation in Shanxi Province, China. We measured a competition index (CI), stem, branch, foliage, and root biomass as well as element content (Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K)). Stem-foliage ratio (S/F), aboveground–belowground biomass ratio (T/R), average annual increment of biomass (AAB), height (AAH), and DBH (AAD) were calculated. The study found that the competition intensity of neighboring trees was closely related to the partitioning of biomass. Our results demonstrated that competition pressure of neighboring trees was a crucial factor to drive and regulate the distribution of biomass. Predicting biomass allocation–competition relationships could represent a supportive method for improving management of Larix principis-rupprechtii plantations in Mountain Taiyue areas.
Highlights
Competition between individuals influences growth, shape and structure, survival, as well as distribution, change, and species diversity of vegetation communities (Wu and Wang 2000; Liu et al 2010; Cao et al 2013)
Our results demonstrated that competition pressure of neighboring trees was a crucial factor to drive and regulate the distribution of biomass
Linear regression analysis of the competition index showed that the proportion of stem and root biomass decreased as competition index increased (Figure 2)
Summary
Competition between individuals influences growth, shape and structure, survival, as well as distribution, change, and species diversity of vegetation communities (Wu and Wang 2000; Liu et al 2010; Cao et al 2013). Competition is driven by the acquisition of environmental resources by species in close spatial proximity. Changes in biomass partitioning of plant organs is an important mechanism to maintain productivity (Davidson 1969; Sebastia 2007). Some studies have found that competition can greatly increase the productive potential of forest stands (Fox et al 2007). Productivity and decomposition processes in forests are affected by changes in biomass partitioning. The characteristics of plant biomass allocation have great importance in the study of the forest carbon cycle
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