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Updated: Feb 25, 2026
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Development of an Individual-Tree Basal Area Increment Model using a Linear Mixed-Effects Approach
Published on: July 3, 2020
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Pattern and control of biomass allocation across global forest ecosystems
Yongtao Jiang1,2, Limei Wang1,2
1College of Environmental Science and Traveling Nanyang Normal University Nanyang Henan China.
Ecology and Evolution
|August 4, 2017
Summary
Forest biomass allocation, crucial for carbon storage, is mainly driven by plant allometry, with environmental factors playing a minor role. Root:shoot ratios in China are comparable to global averages, despite lower biomass.
Area of Science:
- Forest Ecology
- Biomass Allocation
- Carbon Cycling
Background:
- Belowground tree parts are significant carbon sinks in forest ecosystems.
- Understanding root:shoot ratios is vital for estimating underground biomass and carbon pools.
- Large-scale biomass allocation patterns and their drivers remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate global forest root:shoot ratios at the community level.
- To analyze the influence of environmental factors on biomass allocation.
- To compare biomass allocation in Chinese forests with global data.
Main Methods:
- Compilation of a large, global forest community-level database.
- Statistical analysis of root:shoot ratios against environmental variables (development, climate, altitude, soil).
- Application of an allometric model to estimate belowground biomass (BGB) from aboveground biomass (AGB).
Main Results:
- Chinese forests exhibited lower median aboveground biomass (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB) compared to global averages.
- Root:shoot ratios in Chinese forests were statistically similar to global medians.
- Weak but significant correlations were found between root:shoot ratios and environmental factors (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Biomass allocation is primarily governed by inherent plant allometry, with environmental factors exerting a secondary influence.
- The developed allometric model accurately estimated BGB based on AGB across the global dataset.
- Despite lower biomass quantities, China's forest root:shoot ratios align with global patterns.
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