Biomass allocation in natural regeneration of Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies trees in Italian Alps

Abstract

Abstract. Biomass allocation in seedlings and saplings at different stages of growth is important information for studying the response of species to site conditions. The objectives of the paper are: (a) to analyse the relationship between height and biomass in young Norway spruce and European beech trees, (b) to study the infl uence of the leaf area on ontogenetic growth stages and biomass sequestration capacity on the regeneration of these two species. 96 seedlings (H < 30 cm) and saplings (31 < H < 130 cm) were collected in different light conditions in a case study in the Alps (Trentino province, Italy). Leaf Area Index and shoot/root ratio were used as indicators of the ecological conditions (e.g. light, soil moisture, nutrient status) able to infl uence the seedlings and saplings growth. Two non-linear regressions were fi tted to analyse the relationship between height and biomass and to develop the aboveground and below-ground allometric equations. Non-linear regressions show that sapling or seedling height is a good predictor of above-ground and below-ground biomass with a R 2 aj above 0.8 for all equations and a R 2 aj above 0.9 for above-ground biomass of Norway spruce. The results show that silvicultural practices may infl uence the regeneration patterns and increase the biomass allocation rate infl uencing stand density and canopy cover.

Impacts of Site Conditions and Stand Structure on the Biomass Allocation of Single Trees in Larch Plantations of Liupan Mountains of Northwest China

“…The biomass distribution in different regions may have different responses to a change in elevation [53]. In some research, aboveground and belowground carbon was expected to decrease with elevation [54][55][56]. However, other patterns of aboveground association with elevation have been reported: positive monotone [57], single peak [58], double peak [59], or empty peak [60].…”

Estimation of above-ground biomass in forest stands from regression on their basal area and height

“…estimates reasonably 7 t/ha at GH = 0. For example, above-ground biomass estimate of a young Norway spruce stand with H = 100 cm and N =2000 trees/ha is 2.4 t/ha according to the model from Pastorella & Paletto (2014) and 0.5 t/ha according to Mitt et al (2014). 2and the observed values (points) of stand aboveground biomass.…”