Parameterization of Productivity Model for the Most Common Trees Species in European Part of Russia for Simulation of Forest Ecosystem Dynamics

Abstract

The proposed model is the version of well-known biomass production model 3-PG (Physiological Principles Predicting Growth), which allows for calculation of biomass production in dependence of consumed soil nitrogen and available solar radiation. The model utilizes the concept of modifiers, i.e. functions describing the effect of tree age and environmental factors (air temperature and humidity, soil moisture, carbon dioxide concentration) on productivity. To make the model applicable to mixed forests of European Russia, the substantial modifications were implemented. In particular, more detailed response functions to air temperature, soil moisture and absorbed nitrogen were introduced. We also implemented new procedure of calculation of light use efficiency taking into account the difference between shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant tree species. The rank distribution equation was used for the description of an increment allocation to different tree biomass compartments. Model parameters were estimated for the 12 most common tree species of European Russia. The model was implemented as sub-routine for calculation of biomass production in forest ecosystem model EFIMOD 2. The model performance was tested against the wide range of environmental conditions.