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Linking wood density with tree growth and environment: a theoretical analysis based on the motion of water
Author(s) -
Roderick Michael L.,
Berry Sandra L.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2001.00054.x
Subject(s) - environmental science , nitrogen , water flow , ecosystem , flow (mathematics) , atmospheric sciences , carbon fibers , soil science , hydrology (agriculture) , ecology , mathematics , chemistry , physics , mechanics , geology , biology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , algorithm , composite number
Summary• An hydraulic model of a tree stem is presented to help understand how the carbon storage in ecosystems varies with changing environmental conditions. • The model is based on the assumption that a tree stem is a collection of parallel pipes and was used to (qualitatively) predict how the mass concentration of dry matter ([ D ]) would vary with water temperature (via changes in viscosity), nitrogen supply and atmospheric CO 2 . • There was qualitative agreement between model predictions and observed gross trends. The model predicted that the flow rate would be relatively insensitive to variations in [ D ] in angiosperm stems; this was consistent with observations. It is concluded that other factors need to be considered to explain variations in [ D ] in angiosperm wood. The flow rate of water through gynmosperm stems was predicted to be very sensitive to variations in [ D ] and the model explained why [ D ]; decreases with decreases in water temperature, decreases with increases in nitrogen supply and increases with elevated CO 2 . • The model captured some of the important underlying relations linking water transport with wood density and environment and qualitative testing of the model is recommended.