Tallo: A global tree allometry and crown architecture database

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Forest Science
• Remote Sensing

Background:

• Ecological research relies on tree size and shape data (stem diameter, height, crown size).
• Data accessibility is limited for certain regions and tree species, hindering progress.
• Existing data gaps pose challenges for forest structure, dynamics, and carbon stock estimations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present the Tallo database, a comprehensive collection of individual tree measurements.
• To provide a publicly accessible resource for ecological research, overcoming data limitations.
• To demonstrate the database's utility through case studies in ecological theory and application.

Main Methods:

• Compiled 498,838 georeferenced and taxonomically standardized tree records.
• Included measurements of stem diameter, height, and/or crown radius from 61,856 global sites.
• Ensured taxonomic standardization, with 88% of trees identified to species.

Main Results:

• The Tallo database contains data for 5163 species across 1453 genera and 187 families.
• Data spans all major global biomes, offering broad ecological applicability.
• Public archiving under CC-BY 4.0 license ensures accessibility.

Conclusions:

• The Tallo database is a key resource for ecologists, remote sensing researchers, and modelers.
• It facilitates research on metabolic scaling theory, allometric plasticity, and maximum tree height.
• The database supports a better understanding of trees' role in the terrestrial carbon cycle.