Search research articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Estimating leaf-level parameters for ecosystem process models: a study in mixed conifer canopies on complex terrain.

Remko A Duursma¹, John D Marshall, Jesse B Nippert

¹Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, 83844-1133, USA.

Tree Physiology

|August 18, 2005

Summary

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Legacies of foundation species shape life after death.

Science advances·2026

Same author

Measurement uncertainty in three sample glomerular filtration rate tests.

Nuclear medicine communications·2026

Same author

Local and distal processes determine precipitation isotope records in the Great Plains USA.

The Science of the total environment·2026

Same author

Correction: Soil phosphorus availability as affected by root exudates of cover crop species.

Scientific reports·2026

Same author

De-Coupled Water and Nitrogen Translocation From Subsoil to Canopy of Temperate Forest Trees.

Plant, cell & environment·2025

Same author

Estimating the realised economic value of a historic Mediterranean fruit fly eradication.

Scientific reports·2025

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Simplifying ecosystem models, researchers found that a single canopy sample accurately estimates mean nitrogen and leaf mass. Species variation is key, but environmental factors like altitude have minimal impact on these crucial parameters.

Area of Science:

Ecology
Forestry
Biogeochemistry

Background:

Ecosystem process models predict carbon flux using aggregated canopy parameters.
Current models often simplify canopy variation, using mean values for nitrogen content and leaf mass per area.
Accurate parameterization is challenging in mixed-species forests and complex terrain.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze sources of variation in key canopy parameters.
To test simplifying assumptions for ecosystem model parameterization.
To improve the accuracy of carbon flux predictions in forest ecosystems.

Main Methods:

Measurements of nitrogen concentration, nitrogen content, and leaf mass per area were taken in mixed-species forests.
Samples were collected from various canopy positions, altitudes, and solar insolation levels.

Related Experiment Videos

Photosynthesis-nitrogen relationships were analyzed across different conifer species and sites.

Main Results:

A sample from the vertical center of the crown effectively estimated mean canopy values for nitrogen and leaf mass.
Altitude, solar insolation, and leaf area index showed negligible effects on these parameters.
Area-based photosynthesis-nitrogen correlations were stronger than mass-based correlations, revealing a general trend for conifer species.

Conclusions:

Canopy means for key parameters can be easily estimated, simplifying model parameterization.
Complex terrain and environmental factors have minor impacts, allowing for broader model applicability.
While a general photosynthesis-nitrogen relationship exists for conifers, significant species-specific variation must be incorporated into models.