Abstract
Allometric models of internodes are an important component of Functional-Structural Plant Models (FSPMs), which represent the shape of internodes in tree architecture and help our understanding of resource allocation in organisms. Constant allometry is always assumed in these models. In this paper, multilevel nonlinear mixed-effect models were used to characterize the variability of internode allometry, describing the relationship between the last internode length and biomass of Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. trees within the GreenLab framework. We demonstrated that there is significant variability in allometric relationships at the tree and different-order branch levels, and the variability decreases among levels from trees to first-order branches and, subsequently, to second-order branches. The variability was partially explained by the random effects of site characteristics, stand age, density, and topological position of the internode. Tree- and branch-level-specific allometric models are recommended because they produce unbiased and accurate internode length estimates. The model and method developed in this study are useful for understanding and describing the structure and functioning of trees.
Highlights
Plant allometry has been used extensively to describe the relationship between individual size and other attributes, such as form and process [1,2]
The variability of internode length and biomass was measured by the coefficient of variation (CV)
We found significant variability in internode allometry within and between trees and branches, which was quantified as the variances of the random effects of shape and geometric parameters in the model
Summary
Plant allometry has been used extensively to describe the relationship between individual size and other attributes, such as form and process [1,2]. It allows plant organ size to be estimated, commonly from the plant’s biomass, and links plant architecture and physiological activities It is useful in functional-structural plant models (FSPMs), which explicitly describe the development of the 3D architecture or structure of plants over time as governed by physiological processes and environmental factors [3,4]. The ability to change a phenotype in response to the environment is an important feature of plants, especially for trees living in heterogeneous environmental conditions over both a long generation time and a large geographical area
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