Leaf biomass changes with stand development in hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa [Sieb. et Zucc.] Endl.)

• Published in: Plant ecology Vol. 211; no. 1; pp. 79 - 88
• Main Authors: Ogawa, K, Adu-Bredu, S, Yokota, T, Hagihara, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands 01-11-2010; Springer; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: 3/2 Power law of self-thinning; Age; Applied Ecology; Average linear density; Biodiversity; Biomass; Biomass density; Biomass production; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Chamaecyparis obtusa; Community & Population Ecology; Cupressus; Development; Ecology; Forest canopy; Leaf biomass; Leaves; Life Sciences; Plant Ecology; Planting; Plants; Power laws; primary productivity; Respiration; Seedlings; Stand age; Stand density; Stem cross-sectional area at the crown base; Terrestial Ecology; Primary productivity; Biomass density; 3/2 Power law of self-thinning; Leaf biomass; Stem cross-sectional area at the crown base
• ISSN: 1385-0237; 1573-5052
• DOI: 10.1007/s11258-010-9774-1

We monitored a permanent plot of 3-year-old Chamaecyparis obtusa seedlings for 11 years after planting. As the stem cross-sectional area at the crown base can be regarded as a good predictor of leaf mass according to the pipe model theory, we measured this parameter to determine temporal trends in leaf biomass. The mean values showed asymptotic growth, maintaining a near-constant level after a stand age of 9 years. Peak values were found at 9 years, followed by a slight decrease because of a continuous reduction in stand density. This temporal trend suggests that the leaf biomass per unit land area attains a peak at an age of 9 years. As the stand density changes with stand age, the relationship between stand stem cross-sectional area at the crown base and stand density showed an optimum curve in which the optimum density was around 9200 ha⁻¹. We propose hypothetical trends in primary productivity and biomass density with stand age, based on the results of measurements of stem cross-sectional area at the crown base and stand density under the assumption of the 3/2 power law of self-thinning.