Article
Bias in leaf area — sapwood area ratios and its impact on growth analysis in Pinus contorta
TREES
(1988)
Abstract
Two alternative estimators of individual tree leaf area (A1) area are used to derive estimates of leaf-area index (L) for 40 plots in Pinus contorta Dougl. stands. One estimator of A1 is based on the common assumption of a constant ratio between A1 and sapwood cross-sectional area at breast height (As). The second estimator of A1 accounts for tree-to-tree variation in the relation between A1 and As. The apparent relationship between stand growth and leaf-area index is strongly dependent on the way leaf area is estimated. When L is derived from a constant A1∶Asratio, stand growth appears to be strongly correlated with L. However, when L is based on estmates of A1 that account for tree-to-tree variation in the A1 — As relation, stand growth is seen to be only weakly related to L. Stand structure, quantified as percent live-crown, accounts for a great deal of the observed variation in leaf-area efficiency. These contrasting relationships illustrate the importance of unbiased estimates of L in interpreting the link between stand-level processes and leaf area.
Disciplines
Publication Date
1988
Citation Information
James N. Long. "Bias in leaf area — sapwood area ratios and its impact on growth analysis in Pinus contorta" TREES Vol. 2 Iss. 2 (1988) p. 104 - 109 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jameslong/237/