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Allocation of gross primary production in forest ecosystems: allometric constraints and environmental responses
Author(s) -
Chen Guangshui,
Yang Yusheng,
Robinson David
Publication year - 2013
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 - 10.1111/nph.12426
Subject(s) - allometry , primary production , ecosystem , production (economics) , forest ecology , tree allometry , ecology , environmental science , primary (astronomy) , terrestrial ecosystem , biology , biomass (ecology) , economics , physics , astronomy , macroeconomics , biomass partitioning
Summary Understanding the allocation of gross primary production ( GPP ) and its response to climate is essential for improving terrestrial carbon ( C ) modelling. Here, we synthesize data on component GPP fluxes from a worldwide forest database to determine the allocation patterns of GPP across global gradients in climate and nitrogen deposition ( N dep ). Our results reveal that allocation of GPP is governed in an integrated way by allometric constraints and by three trade‐offs among GPP components: wood production ( NPP wood ) vs fine‐root production ( NPP froot ), NPP wood vs foliage production ( NPP foliage ), and autotrophic respiration ( R a ) vs all biomass production components. Component fluxes were explained more by allometry, while partitioning to components was related more closely to the trade‐offs. Elevated temperature and N dep benefit long‐term woody biomass C sequestration by stimulating allometric partitioning to wood. N dep can also enhance forest C use efficiency by its effects on the R a vs biomass production trade‐off. Greater precipitation affects C allocation by driving the NPP wood vs NPP foliage trade‐off toward the latter component. These results advance our understanding about the global constraints on GPP allocation in forest ecosystems and its climatic responses, and are therefore valuable for simulations and projections of ecosystem C sequestration.