[Effects of age classes on metabolic exponents of Salix psammophila branches.]

Metabolisms are fundamental processes of organisms. They are related to carbon and water cycling of a plant. The relationship between the metabolic rate and the body size of an organism has been a hot spot in ecological research. The typical WBE model with 3/4 power has been controversial. This study tested the applicability of WBE model and examined the change of metabolic exponents with the age class at branch scale in a typical plant, Salix psammophila in the southern edge of the Mu Us desert. The results showed that the estimated metabolic exponent based on the leaf biomass and total biomass was 0.97 for all branches of the S. psammophila. This was significantly greater than the constant power of 3/4 proposed by the WBE model. The branching radius exponent and branching length exponent were 2.67 and 3.83, respectively, being significantly greater than the constant values of 2.0 and 3.0, respectively. The ranges of branching radius exponents and branching length exponents among the age classes were 2.64-3.24 and 2.86-4.30, respectively. Meanwhile, the estimated values and calculated values of metabolic exponents ranged from 1.01-1.29 and 0.94-1.13, respectively. The values of all above were statistically indistinguishable among the six age classes. The common slopes among the six age classes for estimated values and calculated values of metabolic exponents, branching radius exponents and branching length exponents were 1.08, 1.00, 2.84 and 3.35, respectively. These values were significantly greater than the constant values. The changes of the intercept at the y-axis shifted negatively at the common slope of estimated metabolic exponents with significant elevation shift between groups, and the higher age class branches had the greater shift. These indicated that the age classes did not change the metabolic exponents, but changed the metabolic constant significantly. The older branches had lower metabolic activity than the younger branches.