Assessing most relevant factors to simulate current annual increments of beech forests in Italy
Author(s)
Date Issued
2014
Type
article
Abstract
Recent papers have demonstrated the applicability of a calibrated bio-geochemical
model – BIOME-BGC - for estimating current annual increments (CAIs) of
Mediterranean forests. In this study, the above model is applied to assess the
gross primary production (GPP) of nine beech forest sites in Italy using a previously
produced data set of meteorological data over a ten-year period (1999-
2008). The obtained GPP estimates are integrated with relevant autotrophic
respiration and allocation to obtain forest net primary production (NPP) averages
for the same forests. The simulations are performed assuming different
levels of ecosystem disequilibrium, i.e., progressively taking into account the
effects of specific site history in terms of woody biomass removal and stand
aging. The NPP estimates, converted into CAIs by means of specific coefficients,
are validated through comparison with data derived from tree growth
measurements. Results indicate that the modeling of quasi-equilibrium conditions
tends to produce overestimated CAI values, particularly for not fully
stocked, old stands. The inclusion of information on existing biomass leads to a
partial improvement, while optimal results are obtained when information on
ecosystem development phase is considered. The implications of using different
NPP estimation methods are finally discussed in the perspective of assessing
the forest carbon budget on a national basis.
Additional information
L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.sisef.it/
Citation
Chiesi, M. et al. 2014. Assessing most relevant factors to simulate current annual increments of beech forests in Italy. "iForest – Biogeosciences and Forestry" 7: 115-122
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