Filling the “vertical gap” between canopy tree species and understory shrub species: biomass allometric equations for subcanopy tree species

doi:10.1007/s11676-022-01568-0

Abstract

Abstract:

Subcanopy tree species are an important component of temperate secondary forests. However, their biomass equations are rarely reported, which forms a “vertical gap” between canopy tree species and understory shrub species. In this study, we destructively sampled six common subcanopy species (Syringa reticulate var. amurensis (Rupr.) Pringle, Padus racemosa (Lam.) Gilib., Acer ginnala Maxim., Malus baccata (Linn.) Borkh., Rhamnus davurica Pall., and Maackia amurensis Rupr. et Maxim.) to establish biomass equations in a temperate forest of Northeast China. The mixed-species and species-specific biomass allometric equations were well fitted against diameter at breast height (DBH). Adding tree height (H) as the second predictor increased the R ² of the models compared with the DBH-only models by –1% to + 3%. The R ² of DBH-only and DBH-H equations for the total biomass of mixed-species were 0.985 and 0.986, respectively. On average, the biomass allocation proportions for the six species were in the order of stem (45.5%) > branch (30.1%) > belowground (19.5%) > foliage (4.9%), with a mean root: shoot ratio of 0.24. Biomass allocation to each specific component differed among species, which affected the performance of the mixed-species model for particular biomass component. When estimating the biomass of subcanopy species using the equations for canopy species (e.g., Betula platyphylla Suk., Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (Rehd.) Nakai, and Acer mono Maxim.), the errors in individual biomass estimation increased with tree size (up to 68.8% at 30 cm DBH), and the errors in stand biomass estimation (up to 19.2%) increased with increasing percentage of basal area shared by subcanopy species. The errors caused by selecting such inappropriate models could be removed by multiplying adjustment factors, which were usually power functions of DBH for biomass components. These results provide methodological support for accurate biomass estimation in temperate China and useful guidelines for biomass estimation for subcanopy species in other regions, which can help to improve estimates of forest biomass and carbon stocks.

Key words: Subcanopy tree species, Biomass, Allometric equations, Temperate forests, Biomass allocation

Xue Sun, Xingchang Wang, Chuankuan Wang, Quanzhi Zhang, Qingxi Guo. Filling the “vertical gap” between canopy tree species and understory shrub species: biomass allometric equations for subcanopy tree species[J]. JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH, 2023, 34(4): 903-913.

Xue Sun, Xingchang Wang, Chuankuan Wang, Quanzhi Zhang, Qingxi Guo. [J]. 林业研究(英文版), 2023, 34(4): 903-913.

References 37

1	Ali A, Xu MS, Zhao YT, Zhang QQ, Zhou LL, Yang XD, Yan ER. Allometric biomass equations for shrub and small tree species in subtropical China. Silva Fenn (Hels), 2015, 49(4): 1275, DOI
2	Bastin JF, Finegold Y, Garcia C, Mollicone D, Rezende M, Routh D, Zohner CM, Crowther TW. The global tree restoration potential. Science, 2019, 365(6448): 76-79, DOI
3	Bond-Lamberty B, Wang C, Gower ST. Aboveground and belowground biomass and sapwood area allometric equations for six boreal tree species of northern Manitoba. Can J for Res, 2002, 32(8): 1441-1450, DOI
4	Chave J, Réjou-Méchain M, Búrquez A, Chidumayo E, Colgan MS, Delitti WBC, Duque A, Eid T, Fearnside PM, Goodman RC, Henry M, Martínez-Yrízar A, Mugasha WA, Muller-Landau HC, Mencuccini M, Nelson BW, Ngomanda A, Nogueira EM, Ortiz-Malavassi E, Pélissier R, Ploton P, Ryan CM, Saldarriaga JG, Vieilledent G. Improved allometric models to estimate the aboveground biomass of tropical trees. Glob Chang Biol, 2015, 20(10): 3177-3190, DOI
5	Cook-Patton SC, Leavitt SM, Gibbs D, Harris NL, Lister K, Anderson-Teixeira KJ, Briggs RD, Chazdon RL, Crowther TW, Ellis PW, Griscom HP, Herrmann V, Holl KD, Houghton RA, Larrosa C, Lomax G, Lucas R, Madsen P, Malhi Y, Paquette A, Parker JD, Paul K, Routh D, Roxburgh S, Saatchi S, van den Hoogen J, Walker WS, Wheeler CE, Wood SA, Xu L, Griscom BW. Mapping carbon accumulation potential from global natural forest regrowth. Nature, 2020, 585(7826): 545-550, DOI
6	Dong LH, Li FR, Jia WW, Liu FX, Wang HZ. Compatible biomass models for main tree species with measurement error in Heilongjiang Province of Northeast China. Chin J Appl Ecol, 2011, 22(10): 2653-2661, DOI
7	Dong LH, Zhang LJ, Li FR. Developing additive systems of biomass equations for nine hardwood species in Northeast China. Trees, 2015, 29(4): 1149-1163, DOI
8	Duncanson LI, Dubayah RO, Enquist BJ. Assessing the general patterns of forest structure: quantifying tree and forest allometric scaling relationships in the United States. Glob Ecol Biogeogr, 2015, 24(12): 1465-1475, DOI
9	Feldpausch TR, Lloyd J, Lewis SL, Brienen RJW, Gloor M, Mendoza AM, Lopez-Gonzalez G, Banin L, Salim KA, Affum-Baffoe K, AlexiadesAlmeida MS, Amaral I, Andrade A, Arag˜ao LEOC, Murakami AA, Arets WJMM, Arroyo L, Aymard CGA, Baker TR, B´anki OS, Berry NJ, Cardozo N, Chave J, Comiskey JA, Alvarez E, de Oliveira A, di Fiore A, Djagbletey G, Domingues TF, Erwin TL, Fearnside PM, Franca MB, Freitas MA, Higuchi N, Honorio CE, Iida Y, van Jim´enezKassimKilleenLauranceLovettMalhiMarimonMarimon-JrLenzaMarshallMendozaMetcalfeMitchardNeillNelsonNilusNogueiraParadaPehCruzPe˜nuelaPitmanPrietoQuesadaRam´ırezRam´ırez-AnguloReitsmaRudasSaizSalom˜aoSchwarzSilvaSilva-EspejoSilveiraSonk´eStroppTaedoumgTanSteegeTerborghTorello-RaventosvanderHeijden EARTJWFJCYBSBHEARCDJETADABWREMAKSHAPMCNCAACAFHJMAGRPMNJEMBJHESHJM. Tree height integrated into pantropical forest biomass estimates. Biogeosciences, 2012, 9(8): 3381-3403, DOI
10	Forrester DI, Tachauer IHH, Annighoefer P, Barbeito I, Pretzsch H, Ruiz-Peinado R, Stark H, Vacchiano G, Zlatanov T, Chakraborty T, Saha S, Sileshi GW. Generalized biomass and leaf area allometric equations for European tree species incorporating stand structure, tree age and climate. For Ecol Manage, 2017, 396: 160-175, DOI
11	Gonzalez-Akre E, Piponiot C, Lepore M, Herrmann V, Lutz JA, Baltzer JL, Dick CW, Gilbert GS, He FL, Heym HAI, Jansen PA, Johnson DJ, Knapp N, Kral K, Lin DM, Malhi Y, McMahon SM, Myers JA, Orwig D, Rodriguez-Hernandez DI, Russo SE, Shue J, Wang XG, Wolf A, Yang TH, Davies SJ, Anderson-Teixeira KJ. Allodb: an R package for biomass estimation at globally distributed extratropical forest plots. Methods Ecol Evol, 2021, 13(2): 330-338, DOI
12	Goodman RC, Phillips OL, Baker TR. The importance of crown dimensions to improve tropical tree biomass estimates. Ecol Appl, 2014, 24(4): 680-698, DOI
13	Gower ST, Kucharik CJ, Norman JM. Direct and indirect estimation of leaf area index, fAPAR, and net primary production of terrestrial ecosystems. Remote Sens Environ, 1999, 70(1): 29-51, DOI
14	He HJ, Zhang CY, Zhao XH, Fousseni F, Wang JS, Dai HJ, Yang S, Zuo Q. Allometric biomass equations for 12 tree species in coniferous and broadleaved mixed forests. Northeast China Plos One, 2018, 13(1): e0186226, DOI
15	Li XN, Guo QX, Wang XC, Zheng HF. Allometry of understory tree species in a natural secondary forest in northeast China. Sci Silvae Sin, 2010, 46(8): 22-32, DOI
16	Liu F, Wang CK, Wang XC, Zhang JS, Zhang Z, Wang JJ. Spatial patterns of biomass in the temperate broadleaved deciduous forest within the fetch of the Maoershan flux tower. Acta Ecol Sin, 2016, 36(20): 6506-6519, DOI
17	MacFarlane DW. A generalized tree component biomass model derived from principles of variable allometry. For Ecol Manage, 2015, 354: 43-55, DOI
18	Mosseler A, Major JE, Labrecque M, Larocque GR. Allometric relationships in coppice biomass production for two North American willows (Salix spp.) across three different sites. For Ecol Manage, 2014, 320: 190-196, DOI
19	Ploton P, Barbier N, Momo ST, Réjou-Méchain M, Bosela FB, Chuyong G, Dauby G. Closing a gap in tropical forest biomass estimation: taking crown mass variation into account in pantropical allometries. Biogeosciences, 2016, 13(5): 1571-1585, DOI
20	Pugha TAM, Lindeskog M, Smith B, Poulter B, Arneth A, Haverd V, Calle L. Role of forest regrowth in global carbon sink dynamics. PNAS, 2019, 116(10): 4382-4387, DOI
21	Reichstein M, Carvalhais N. Aspects of forest biomass in the earth system: its role and major unknowns. Surv Geophys, 2019, 40: 693-707, DOI
22	Saint-André L, M’Bou AT, Mabiala A, Mouvondy W, Jourdan C, Roupsard O, Deleporte P, Hamel H, Nouvellon Y. Age-related equations for above- and below-ground biomass of a Eucalyptus hybrid in Congo. For Ecol Manage, 2005, 205(1–3): 199-214, DOI
23	Sileshi GW. A critical review of forest biomass estimation models, common mistakes and corrective measures. For Ecol Manage, 2014, 329: 237-254, DOI
24	Sun XF, Liu F, Zhang QZ, Li YC, Zhang LF, Wang J, Zhang HY, Wang CK, Wang XC. Biotic and climatic controls on the interannual variation in canopy litterfall of a deciduous broad-leaved forest. Agric for Meteorol, 2021, 307: 108483, DOI
25	Suzuki SN. Acceleration and deceleration of aboveground biomass accumulation rate in a temperate forest in central Japan. For Ecol Manage, 2021, 479: 118550, DOI
26	van Breugel M, Ransijn J, Craven D, Bongers F, Hall JS. Estimating carbon stock in secondary forests: decisions and uncertainties associated with allometric biomass models. For Ecol Manage, 2011, 262(8): 1648-1657, DOI
27	Vorster AG, Evangelista PH, Stovall AEL, Ex S. Variability and uncertainty in forest biomass estimates from the tree to landscape scale: the role of allometric equations. Carbon Balance Manag, 2020, 15(1): 8, DOI
28	Wang CK. Biomass allometric equations for 10 co-occurring tree species in Chinese temperate forests. For Ecol Manage, 2006, 222(1–3): 9-16, DOI
29	Wang XP, Ouyang S, Sun JX, Fang JY. Forest biomass patterns across northeast China are strongly shaped by forest height. For Ecol Manage, 2013, 293: 149-160, DOI
30	Wang XW, Zhao DH, Liu GF, Yang CJ, Teskey RO. Additive tree biomass equations for Betula platyphylla Suk. plantations in Northeast China. Ann For Sci, 2018, 75(2): 60, DOI
31	Xu YZ, Zhang JX, Franklin SB, Liang JY, Ding P, Luo YQ, Lu ZJ, Bao DC, Jiang MX. Improving allometry models to estimate the above- and belowground biomass of subtropical forest. China Ecosphere, 2015, 6(12): 289, DOI
32	Yang H, Ciais P, Santoro M, Huang YY, Li W, Wang YL, Bastos A, Goll D, Arneth A, Anthoni P, Arora VK, Friedlingstein P, Harverd V, Joetzjer E, Kautz M, Lienert S, Nabel JEMS, O’Sullivan M, Sitch S, Vuichard N, Wiltshire A, Zhu D. Comparison of forest above-ground biomass from dynamic global vegetation models with spatially explicit remotely sensed observation–based estimates. Glob Chang Biol, 2020, 26(7): 3997-4012, DOI
33	Yao YT, Piao SL, Wang T. Future biomass carbon sequestration capacity of Chinese forests. Sci Bull (beijing), 2018, 63(17): 1108-1117, DOI
34	Zeng HQ, Liu QJ, Feng ZW, Ma ZQ. Biomass equations for four shrub species in subtropical China. J for Res, 2010, 15(2): 83-90, DOI
35	Zhou XH, Brandle JR, Schoeneberger MM, Awada T. Developing above-ground woody biomass equations for open-grown, multiple-stemmed tree species: shelterbelt-grown Russian-olive. Ecol Modell, 2007, 202(3–4): 311-323, DOI
36	Zhou XH, Schoeneberger MM, Brandle JR, Awada TN, Chu JM, Martin DL, Li JH, Li YQ, Mize CW. Analyzing the uncertainties in use of forest-derived biomass equations for open-grown trees in agricultural land. Forest Sci, 2015, 61(1): 144-161, DOI
37	Zianis D, Mencuccini M. On simplifying allometric analyses of forest biomass. For Ecol Manage, 2004, 187(2–3): 311-332, DOI

[1]	Xu Dou, Hongzhou Yu, Jianyu Wang, Fei Li, Qi Liu, Long Sun, Tongxin Hu. Effect of prescribed burning on the small-scale spatial heterogeneity of soil microbial biomass in Pinus koraiensis and Quercus mongolica forests of China [J]. JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH, 2023, 34(3): 609-622.
[2]	Juanjuan Zhang, Xinyang Li, Meng Chen, Linjia Huang, Ming Li, Xu Zhang, Yang Cao. Response of plant, litter, and soil C:N:P stoichiometry to growth stages in Quercus secondary forests on the Loess Plateau, China [J]. JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH, 2023, 34(3): 595-607.
[3]	Allan Motta Couto, Thiago Campos Monteiro, Paulo Fernando Trugilho, José Tarcísio Lima, José Reinaldo Moreira da Silva, Alfredo Napoli, Diego Pierre de Almeida. Influence of physical-anatomical wood variables on charcoal physical–mechanical properties [J]. JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH, 2023, 34(2): 531-538.
[4]	Wenhui Zheng, Renshan Li, Qingpeng Yang, Weidong Zhang, Ke Huang, Xin Guan, Longchi Chen, Xin Yu, Qingkui Wang, Silong Wang. Allocation patterns of nonstructural carbohydrates in response to CO₂ elevation and nitrogen deposition in Cunninghamia lanceolata saplings [J]. JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH, 2023, 34(1): 87-98.
[5]	Jackson Freitas Brilhante de São José, Maurício Roberto Cherubin, Luciano Kayser Vargas, Bruno Brito Lisboa, Josiléia Acordi Zanatta, Elias Frank Araújo, Cimélio Bayer. A soil quality index for subtropical sandy soils under different Eucalyptus harvest residue managements [J]. JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH, 2023, 34(1): 243-255.
[6]	Tiago de Sousa Leite, Rômulo Magno Oliveira de Freitas, Nildo da Silva Dias, Jeferson Luiz Dallabona Dombroski, Narjara Walessa Nogueira. The interplay between leaf water potential and osmotic adjustment on photosynthetic and growth parameters of tropical dry forest trees [J]. JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH, 2023, 34(1): 177-186.