Process-based modeling to assess the effects of recent climatic variation on site productivity and forest function across western North America
Process-based modeling to assess the effects of recent climatic variation on site productivity and forest function across western North America
A process-based forest growth model, 3-PG (Physiological Principles Predicting Growth), parameterized with values of soil properties constrained by satellite-derived estimates of maximum leaf area index (LAImax), was run for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) to contrast the extent to which site growth potential might vary across western North America between a cool, wet period (1950–1975) and a more recent, generally warmer and drier one (2000–2009). LAImax represents a surrogate for overall site growth potential, as demonstrated from a strong correlation between the two variables, with the latter based on the culmination of mean annual increment estimates made at 3356 ground-based U.S. Forest Service survey plots across the states of Oregon and Washington. Results indicate that since 2000, predicted LAImax has decreased more than 20% in portions of the Southwest USA and for much of the forested area in western Alberta. Similar percentage increases in LAImax were predicted for parts of British Columbia, Idaho and Montana. The modeling analysis included an assessment of changes in seasonal constraints on gross primary production (GPP). A general reduction in limitations caused by spring frost occurred across the entire study area. This has led to a longer growing season, along with notable increases in summer evaporative demand and soil drought for much of the study area away from the maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean.
climate change, 3-PG model, productivity, leaf area index, douglas-fir, FIA survey plots
518-534
Waring, Richard H.
3e0ee148-c136-453d-8284-1df3ea322b9f
Coops, Nicholas C.
5511e778-fec2-4f54-8708-de65ba5a0992
Mathys, Amanda
49f92073-e4a3-499d-a28c-2e8dae12bf87
Hilker, Thomas
c7fb75b8-320d-49df-84ba-96c9ee523d40
Latta, Greg
3a46f850-53ba-4f82-a657-0540f8f9ad9e
24 March 2014
Waring, Richard H.
3e0ee148-c136-453d-8284-1df3ea322b9f
Coops, Nicholas C.
5511e778-fec2-4f54-8708-de65ba5a0992
Mathys, Amanda
49f92073-e4a3-499d-a28c-2e8dae12bf87
Hilker, Thomas
c7fb75b8-320d-49df-84ba-96c9ee523d40
Latta, Greg
3a46f850-53ba-4f82-a657-0540f8f9ad9e
Waring, Richard H., Coops, Nicholas C., Mathys, Amanda, Hilker, Thomas and Latta, Greg
(2014)
Process-based modeling to assess the effects of recent climatic variation on site productivity and forest function across western North America.
Forests, 5 (3), .
(doi:10.3390/f5030518).
Abstract
A process-based forest growth model, 3-PG (Physiological Principles Predicting Growth), parameterized with values of soil properties constrained by satellite-derived estimates of maximum leaf area index (LAImax), was run for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) to contrast the extent to which site growth potential might vary across western North America between a cool, wet period (1950–1975) and a more recent, generally warmer and drier one (2000–2009). LAImax represents a surrogate for overall site growth potential, as demonstrated from a strong correlation between the two variables, with the latter based on the culmination of mean annual increment estimates made at 3356 ground-based U.S. Forest Service survey plots across the states of Oregon and Washington. Results indicate that since 2000, predicted LAImax has decreased more than 20% in portions of the Southwest USA and for much of the forested area in western Alberta. Similar percentage increases in LAImax were predicted for parts of British Columbia, Idaho and Montana. The modeling analysis included an assessment of changes in seasonal constraints on gross primary production (GPP). A general reduction in limitations caused by spring frost occurred across the entire study area. This has led to a longer growing season, along with notable increases in summer evaporative demand and soil drought for much of the study area away from the maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean.
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 17 March 2014
e-pub ahead of print date: 24 March 2014
Published date: 24 March 2014
Keywords:
climate change, 3-PG model, productivity, leaf area index, douglas-fir, FIA survey plots
Organisations:
Geography & Environment
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 384660
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/384660
ISSN: 1999-4907
PURE UUID: 874e3a24-4f68-4a11-a223-a728318e0f47
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Date deposited: 11 Jan 2016 16:23
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 22:02
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Contributors
Author:
Richard H. Waring
Author:
Nicholas C. Coops
Author:
Amanda Mathys
Author:
Thomas Hilker
Author:
Greg Latta
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