Abstract
• 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 (Ndep).
• Our results revealed that allocation of GPP is governed in an integrated way by allometric constraints and by three trade-offs among GPP components: wood production (NPPwood) vs. fine-root production (NPPfroot), NPPwood vs. foliage production (NPPfoliage), and autotrophic respiration (Ra) 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 Ndep benefit long-term woody biomass C sequestration by stimulating allometric partitioning to wood. Ndep can also enhance forest C use efficiency by its effect on the Ra vs. biomass production trade-off. Greater precipitation effects C allocation by driving the NPPwood vs. NPPfoliage 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.
• 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 (Ndep).
• Our results revealed that allocation of GPP is governed in an integrated way by allometric constraints and by three trade-offs among GPP components: wood production (NPPwood) vs. fine-root production (NPPfroot), NPPwood vs. foliage production (NPPfoliage), and autotrophic respiration (Ra) 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 Ndep benefit long-term woody biomass C sequestration by stimulating allometric partitioning to wood. Ndep can also enhance forest C use efficiency by its effect on the Ra vs. biomass production trade-off. Greater precipitation effects C allocation by driving the NPPwood vs. NPPfoliage 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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1176-1186 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | New Phytologist |
| Volume | 120 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 31 Jul 2013 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2013 |
Keywords
- assimilate allocation
- carbon accumulation
- optimal partitioning
- plant allometry
- climate change
- forest ecosystems
