Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-12-4769-2015
https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-12-4769-2015
23 Mar 2015
 | 23 Mar 2015
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal BG. A revision for further review has not been submitted.

A model analysis of climate and CO2 controls on tree growth in a semi-arid woodland

G. Li, S. P. Harrison, and I. C. Prentice

Abstract. We used a light-use efficiency model of photosynthesis coupled with a dynamic carbon allocation and tree-growth model to simulate annual growth of the gymnosperm Callitris columellaris in the semi-arid Great Western Woodlands, Western Australia, over the past 100 years. Parameter values were derived from independent observations except for sapwood specific respiration rate, fine-root turnover time, fine-root specific respiration rate and the ratio of fine-root mass to foliage area, which were estimated by Bayesian optimization. The model reproduced the general pattern of interannual variability in radial growth (tree-ring width), including the response to the shift in precipitation regimes that occurred in the 1960s. Simulated and observed responses to climate were consistent. Both showed a significant positive response of tree-ring width to total photosynthetically active radiation received and to the ratio of modeled actual to equilibrium evapotranspiration, and a significant negative response to vapour pressure deficit. However, the simulations showed an enhancement of radial growth in response to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration (ppm) ([CO2]) during recent decades that is not present in the observations. The discrepancy disappeared when the model was recalibrated on successive 30-year windows. Then the ratio of fine-root mass to foliage area increases by 14% (from 0.127 to 0.144 kg C m-2) as [CO2] increased while the other three estimated parameters remained constant. The absence of a signal of increasing [CO2] has been noted in many tree-ring records, despite the enhancement of photosynthetic rates and water-use efficiency resulting from increasing [CO2]. Our simulations suggest that this behaviour could be explained as a consequence of a shift towards below-ground carbon allocation.

G. Li, S. P. Harrison, and I. C. Prentice
 
Status: closed (peer review stopped)
Status: closed (peer review stopped)
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed (peer review stopped)
Status: closed (peer review stopped)
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
G. Li, S. P. Harrison, and I. C. Prentice
G. Li, S. P. Harrison, and I. C. Prentice

Viewed

Total article views: 1,348 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
962 324 62 1,348 54 67
  • HTML: 962
  • PDF: 324
  • XML: 62
  • Total: 1,348
  • BibTeX: 54
  • EndNote: 67
Views and downloads (calculated since 23 Mar 2015)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 23 Mar 2015)

Saved

Latest update: 27 Mar 2024
Download
Altmetrics