This study investigated the effects of interspecific and temporal variation of specific leaf area (SLA, cm 2 ·g −1 ) on leaf area index (LAI) estimation for three deciduous broadleaved forests (Gwangneung (GN), Taehwa (TH), and Gariwang (GRW)) in Korea with varying ages and composition of tree species. In fall of 2014, fallen leaves were periodically collected using litter traps and classified by species. LAI was estimated by obtaining SLAs using four calculation methods (A: including both interspecific and temporal variation in SLA; B: species specific mean SLA; C: period-specific mean SLA; and D: overall mean), then multiplying the SLAs by the amount of leaves. SLA varied across different species in all plots, and SLAs of upper canopy species were less than those of lower canopy species. The LAIs calculated using method A, the reference method, were GN 6.09, TH 5.42, and GRW 4.33. LAIs calculated using method B showed a difference of up to 3% from the LAI of method A, but LAIs calculated using methods C and D were overestimated. Therefore, species specific SLA must be considered for precise LAI estimation for broadleaved forests that include multiple species.
This study aimed to understand the nutrient absorption, usage and allocation of Carpinus cordata in different soil and light environments. Seasonal changes of foliar nitrogen, phosphorous, chlorophyll contents, leaf mass per area (LMA) and nutrient retranslocation rates were investigated for C. cordata saplings growing in a natural deciduous broadleaved forest and an Manchurian fir (Abies holophylla) plantation in Gwangneung, Kyunggido. The deciduous forest had lower leaf area, higher light penetration, and better soil fertility than the Manchurian fir forest. However, available soil phosphorous content in the deciduous forest was only one third of that in the Manchurian fir forest, which caused lower foliar phosphorous content and higher P retranslocation rate of C. cordata in the deciduous forest than that in the Mancurian fir forest. Soil nitrogen contents in the deciduous forest were higher than that in the Manchurian fir forest, however, no differences in foliar nitrogen content and retranslocation rate in C. cordata between the two stands were found. C. cordata in the Manchurian fir forest with high LAI throughout a year, had lower LMA, foliar nitrogen content and chlorophyll a/b, while had higher total chlorophyll content and chlorophyll/N than that in the deciduous forest. These results implied C. cordata under different environments are using different strategies for nutrient use and allocations.
Annual litterfall production and leaf area index (LAI, m 2 /m 2 ) were estimated using litter traps in Gwangneung, Mt. Taewha and Mt. Gariwang. Annual total litter fall production including branch, bark, others was the highest in Gwangneung(7497.3±326.5 kg/ha/yr), which had the highest basal area at late successional stage, and followed by Mt. Taewha(5929.1±225.8 kg/ha/yr) and Mt. Gariwang(3,210.1±220.1 kg/ha/yr). Mt. Gariwang had the lowest litterfall production due to high elevation and short growing season even with the higher stand density and basal area than Mt. Taewha. Similarly, LAI, which was calculated by multiplying the mass of leaf litter with specific leaf area, was the highest in Gwangneung(5.99±0.69) and followed by Mt. Taewha(5.20±0.24) and Mt. Gariwang(4.06±0.42) and the upper canopy species had the highest leaf area index in every sites (Gwangneung : 4.72, Mt. Taewha : 3.08, Mt. Gariwang : 2.19). However, species specific LAI estimation based on the relationship between basal area and leaf area was limited due to upper canopy species non-proportionality of basal area with LAI. In addition, the comparison between direct and indirect LAI measurement showed the importance of canopy clumping, especially at high density. Our study emphasized the necessity of direct LAI measurement using litter fall traps especially at temperate deciduous forest with diverse species.
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