Abstract
Plant growth is affected by light availability, light capture, and the efficiency of light energy utilisation within the photosynthetic uptake processes. The radiation use efficiency (RUE) of four even-aged, fully stocked mature Norway spruce stands along a temperature, precipitation, and altitudinal gradient of the Czech Republic was investigated. A new straightforward, methodological approach involving an analysis of digital hemispherical photographs for RUE estimation was applied. The highest annual RUE value (0.72 g MJ−1) was observed in the stand characterised by the lowest mean annual air temperature, the highest annual amount of precipitation, located at the highest altitude, and with the lowest site index reflecting site fertility. From the viewpoint of global climate change mitigation, this stand fixed 4.14 Mg ha−1 and 13.93 Mg ha−1 of carbon units and CO2 molecules into above-ground biomass, respectively. The lowest RUE value (0.21 g MJ−1) within the studied growing season was found in the stand located at the lowest altitude representing the site with the highest mean air temperature and the lowest amount of precipitation where 1.27 Mg ha−1 and 4.28 Mg ha−1 of carbon units and CO2 molecules, respectively, were fixed. From the tested meteorological variables (mean air temperature, the monthly sums of temperature, precipitation, and air humidity), RUE was only significantly dependent on air temperature. Therefore, global warming can lead to diminishing RUE and carbon sequestration in Norway spruce stands, especially at low altitudes.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albaugh TJ, Allen HL, Dougherty PM, Kress LW, King JS (1998) Leaf area and above- belowground growth responses of loblolly pine to nutrient and water additions. For Sci 44(2):317–328. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestscience/44.2.317
Albaugh TJ, Albaugh JM, Fox TR, Allen HL, Rubilar RA, Trichet P, Loustau D, Linder S (2016) Tamm review: light use efficiency and carbon storage in nutrient and water experiments on major forest plantation species. For Ecol Manag 376:333–342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2016.05.031
Bartelink HH, Kramer K, Mohren GMJ (1997) Applicability of the radiation-use efficiency concept for simulating growth of forest stands. Agric For Meteorol 88(1-4):169–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1923(97)00041-5
Bellan M, Marková I, Zaika A, Krejza J (2017) Light use efficiency of aboveground biomass production of Norway spruce stands. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis 65(1):9–16. https://doi.org/10.11118/actaun201765010009
Binkley D, Stape JL, Bauerle WL, Ryan MG (2010) Explaining growth of individual trees: light interception and efficiency of light use by Eucalyptus at four sites in Brazil. For Ecol Manag 259(9):1704–1713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2009.05.037
Binkley D, Campoe OC, Gspaltl M, Forrester DI (2013) Light absorption and use efficiency in forests: why patterns differ for trees and stands. For Ecol Manag 288:5–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2011.11.002
Bonan GB (2008) Forests and climate change: forcing, feedbacks, and the climate benefits of forests. Science 320:1444–1449. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1155121
Bonan GB, Shugart HH (1989) Environmental factors and ecological process in Boreal forests. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 20:1–28. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.es.20.110189.000245
Broeckx LS, Vanbeveren SPP, Verlinden MS, Ceulemans R (2015) First vs second rotation of a poplar short rotation coppice: leaf area development, light interception and radiation use efficiency. iForest 8:565–573. https://doi.org/10.3832/ifor1457-008
Brunner A (1998) A light model for spatially explicit forest stand models. For Ecol Manag 107(1-3):19–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(97)00325-3
Brunner A, Nigh G (2000) Light absorption and bole volume growth of individual Douglas-fir trees. Tree Physiol 20(5-6):323–332. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/20.5-6.323
Cannell MGR (1989) Physiological basis of wood production: a review. Scand J For Res 4(1-4):459–490. https://doi.org/10.1080/02827588909382582
Cannell MGR, Milne R, Sheppard LJ, Unsworth MH (1987) Radiation interception and productivity in willow. J Appl Ecol 24(1):261–278. https://doi.org/10.2307/2403803
Cannell MGR, Sheppard LJ, Milne R (1988) Light use efficiency and woody biomass production of poplar and willow. Forestry 61(2):124–130. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/61.2.125
Čater M, Schmid I, Kazda M (2013) Instantaneous and potential radiation effect on underplanted European beech below Norway spruce canopy. Eur J For Res 132:23–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-012-0651-4
Catovsky S, Holbrook NM, Bazzaz FA (2002) Coupling whole-tree transpiration and canopy photosynthesis in coniferous and broad-leaved tree species. Can J For Res 32(2):295–309. https://doi.org/10.1139/x01-199
Černý J, Pokorný R, Haninec P, Bednář P (2019) Leaf area index estimation using three distinct methods in pure deciduous stands. J Vis Exp:e59757. https://doi.org/10.3791/59757
Coyle DR, Aubrey DP, Coleman MD (2016) Growth responses of narrow or broad adapted tree species to a range of resource availability treatments after a full harvest rotation. For Ecol Manag 362:107–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2015.11.047
Dallatea F, Jokella EJ (1991) Needlefall, canopy light interception, and productivity of young intensively managed slash and loblolly pine stand. For Sci 37(5):1298–1313
De Martonne E (1926) Une novella fonction climatologique: L’indice d’aridité. La Météorologie 21:449–458
DeLucia EH, George K, Hamilton JG (2002) Radiation-use efficiency of a forest exposed to elevated concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Tree Physiol 22(14):1003–1010. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/22.14.1003
Dvořák V, Opluštilová M (1996) Leaf area distribution and above-ground biomass increment of Norway spruce stand in relation to intercepted solar radiation. Folia Dendrologica 21-22:285–293
Fleck S, Raspe S, Čater M, Schleppi P, Ukonmaanaho L, Greve M, Hertel C, Weiss W, Rumpf S, Thimonier A, Chianucci F, Beckschäfer P (2016) Part XVII: Leaf area measurements. In: UNECE ICP Forests Programme Co-ordinating Centre (ed.) Manual of methods and criteria for harmonized sampling, assessment, monitoring and analysis of the effects of air pollution on forests. Eberswalde, Thünen Institute of Forest Ecosystems, 39 p
Forrester DI, Albrecht AT (2014) Light absorption and light-use efficiency in mixtures of Abies alba and Picea abies along a productivity gradient. For Ecol Manag 328:94–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.05.026
Forrester DI, Collopy JJ, Beadle CL, Baker TG (2013) Effect of thinning, pruning and nitrogen fertiliser application on light interception and light-use efficiency in a young Eucalyptus nitens plantation. For Ecol Manag 288:21–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2011.11.024
Fox TR, Allen HL, Albaugh TJ, Rubilar R, Carlson CA (2007) Tree nutrition and forest fertilization of pine plantations in the southern United States. South J Appl For 31(1):5–11. https://doi.org/10.1093/sjaf/31.1.5
Goetz SJ, Prince SD, Goward SN, Thawley MM, Small J (1999) Satellite remote sensing of primary production: an improved production efficiency modelling approach. Ecol Model 122(3):239–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3800(99)00140-4
Gower ST, Kucharik CJ, Norman JM (1999) Direct and indirect estimation of leaf area index, fAPAR, and net primary production of terrestrial ecosystems. Remote Sens Environ 70(1):29–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0034-4257(99)00056-5
Grace JC, Jarvis PG, Norman JM (1987) Modelling the interception of solar energy in intensively managed stands. N Z J For Sci 17:193–209
Green Report (2018) Report on the status of forestry in the Czech Republic of 2017. Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, Prague, 114 p. (in Czech with English summary)
Gspaltl M, Bauerle W, Binkley D, Sterba H (2013) Leaf area and light use efficiency patterns of Norway spruce under different thinning regimes and age classes. For Ecol Manag 288:49–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2011.11.044
Harley P, Guenther A, Zimmerman P (1996) Effects of light, temperature and canopy position on net photosynthesis and isoprene emission from sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) leaves. Tree Physiol 16(1-2):25–32. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/16.1-2.25
Hendricks JJ, Hendrick RL, Wilson CA, Mitchell RJ, Pecot SD, Guo D (2006) Assessing the patterns and controls of fine root dynamics: an empirical test and methodological review. J Ecol 94(1):40–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2745.2005.01067.x
Horáček P, Fajstavr M, Szatniewska J, Gryc V, Vavrčík H, Urban J, Krejza J, Bednář P (2018) Wood formation as an indicator of water transport in dought-stressed trees. In: Bednář P (ed) Exemplary Forest Units of Uneven-aged Forestry. Polypress Ltd., Karlovy Vary, p 83
IPCC (2018) Global Warming of 1.5 °C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty. Gèneve, Switzerland, World Meteorological Organisation, 630 p
Jarčuška B, Barna M (2011) Plasticity in above-ground biomass allocation in Fagus sylvatica L. saplings in response to light availability. Ann Forest Res 54(2):151–160
Jarvis PG, Leverenz JW (1983) Productivity of temperate, deciduous and evergreen forests. In: Lange OL, Nobel PS, Osmond CB, Ziegler H (eds) Physiological plant ecology IV. Springer, New York
Knecht MF, Gönarsson A (2004) Terrestrial plants require nutrients in similar proportions. Tree Physiol 24:447–460. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/24.4.447
Krupková L, Marková I, Havránková K, Pokorný R, Urban O, Šigut L, Pavelka M, Cienciala E, Marek MV (2017) Comparison of different approaches of radiation use efficiency of biomass formation estimation in Mountain Norway spruce. Trees Struct Funct 31:352–337. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-016-1486-2
Kubásek J, Urban O, Šantrůček J (2013) C4 plants use fluctuating light less efficiently than do C3 plants: a study of growth, photosynthesis and carbon isotope discrimination. Physiol Plant 149(4):528–539. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.12057
Lagergren F, Eklundh L, Grelle A, Lundblad M, Mölder M, Lankreijer H, Lindroth A (2005) Net primary production and light use efficiency in a mixed coniferous forest in Sweden. Plant Cell Environ 28(3):412–423. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3040.2004.01280.x
Landsberg JJ, Sands PJ (2011) Physiological ecology of forest production. Academic Press, London
Landsberg JJ, Waring RH (1997) A generalized model of forest productivity using simplified concepts of radiation-use efficiency, carbon balance and partitioning. For Ecol Manag 95(3):209–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(97)00026-1
Larcher W (2003) Physiological plant ecology. Ecophysiology and Stress Physiology of Functional Groups. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg ISBN: 978-3-540-43516-7
Lindroth A, Grelle A, Morén A-S (1998) Long-term measurements of boreal forest carbon balance reveal large temperature sensitivity. Glob Chang Biol 4(4):443–450. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2486.1998.00165.x
Lundmark T, Bergh J, Strand M, Koppel A (1998) Seasonal variation of maximum photochemical efficiency in boreal Norway spruce stands. Trees Struct Funct 13(2):63–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004680050187
Madakadze IC, Stewart K, Peterson PR, Coulman BE, Samson R, Smith DL (1998) Light interception, use-efficiency and energy yield of switchgrass (Pannicum virgatum L.) grown in a short season area. Biomass Bioenergy 15(6):475–482. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0961-9534(98)00060-9
Malhi Y, Baldocchi D, Jarvis PG (1999) The carbon balance of tropical, temperate and boreal forests. Plant Cell Environ 22(6):715–740. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3040.1999.00453.x
Marková I, Pokorný R, Marek MV (2011) Transformation of solar radiation in Norway spruce stands into produced biomass – the effect of stand density. J For Sci 57(6):233–241
McIntyre BD, Flower DJ, Riha SJ (1993) Temperature and soil water status effects on radiation use and growth of pearl-millet in a semi-arid environment. Agric For Meteorol 66(3-4):211–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-1923(93)90072-P
Miller JB (1967) A formula for average foliage density. Aust J Bot 15(1):141–144. https://doi.org/10.1071/BT9670141
Monteith JL (1972) Solar radiation and productivity in tropical ecosystems. J Appl Ecol 9(3):747–766
Monteith JL (1977) Climate and the efficiency of crop production in Britain. Philos Trans R Soc B 281(980):277–294
Muukonen P, Mäkipää R (2006) Biomass equations for European trees: Addendum. Silva Fennica 40(4): addendum
N’Gbala FNG, Guéi AM, Tondoh JE (2017) Carbon stocks in selected tree plantations, as compared with semi-deciduous forests in centre-west Côte d’Ivoire. Agric Ecosyst Environ 239:30–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2017.01.015
Nelson AS, Wagner RG, Day ME, Fernandez IJ, Weiskittel AR, Saunders MR (2016) Light absorption and light-use efficiency of juvenile white spruce trees in natural stands and plantations. For Ecol Manag 376:158–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2016.06.019
Niklas KJ (2005) Modelling below- and above-ground biomass for non-woody and woody plants. Ann Bot 95(2):315–321. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mci028
Norby (1996) Forest canopy productivity index. Nature 381:564. https://doi.org/10.1038/381564a0
Omari K, MacLean DA, Lavigne MB, Kershaw JA Jr, Adams GW (2016) Effect of local stand structure on leaf area, growth, and growth efficiency following thinning of white spruce. For Ecol Manag 368:55–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2016.03.005
Oury B (1965) Allowing for weather in crop production model building. J Farm Econ 47(2):270. https://doi.org/10.2307/1236574
Pan Y, Birdsey RA, Fang J, Houghton R, Kauppi PE, Kurz WA, Phillips OL, Shvidenko A, Lewis SL, Canadell JG, Ciais P, Jackson RB, Pacala SW, McGuire AD, Piao S, Rautiainnen A, Sitch S, Hayes D (2011) A large and persistent carbon sink in the world’s forests. Science 333:988–993. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1201609
Pokorný R, Tomášková I, Havránková K (2008) Temporal variation and efficiency of leaf area index in young mountain Norway spruce stand. Eur J For Res 127(5):359–367. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-008-0212-z
Pretzsch H, Dieler J, Seifert T, Rötzer T (2012) Climate effects on productivity and resource-use efficiency of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in stands with different spatial mixing patterns. Trees Struct Funct 26(4):1343–1360. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-012-0710-y
Raspe S, Beuker E, Preuhsler T, Bastrup-Birk A (2016) Part IX: Meteorological Measurements. In: UNECE ICP Forests Programme Co-ordinating Centre (ed.): Manual on methods and criteria for harmonized sampling, assessment, monitoring and analysis of the effects of air pollution on forests. Eberswalde, Thünen Institute of Forest Ecosystems, 31 p
Running SW, Thornton PE, Nemani R, Glassy JM (2000) Global terrestrial gross and net primary productivity from the Earth observing system. In: Sala OE, Jackson RB, Mooney HA, Howarth RW (eds) Methods in Ecosystem Science, New York, pp 44–57
Shinozaki K, Yoda K, Hozumi K, Kira T (1964) A quantitative analysis of plant form – the pipe theory model. II. Further evidence of the theory and its application in forest ecology. Jpn J Ecol 14(3):133–139. https://doi.org/10.18960/seitai.14.3_97
Sinclair TR, Horie T (1989) Crop physiology and metabolism. Leaf nitrogen, photosynthesis, and crop radiation use efficiency: a review. Crop Sci 19(1):90–98. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1989.0011183X002900010023x
Sinclair TR, Shiraiwa T, Hammer GL (1992) Crop physiology and metabolism. variation in crop radiation-use efficiency with increased diffuse radiation. Crop Sci 32(5):1281. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1992.0011183X003200050043x
Souček J, Tesař V (2008) Guidelines on Norway spruce stand transformation on sites naturally dominated by mixed forest stands. Lesnický průvodce 4/2008. Certified methodology. Strnady, Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, 37 p. (in Czech with English summary)
Soudani K, Hmimina G, Dufrêne E, Berveiller D, Delpierre N, Ourcival J-M, Rambal S, Joffre R (2014) Relationships between photochemical reflectance index and light-use efficiency in deciduous and evergreen broadleaf forests. Remote Sens Environ 144:73–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2014.01.017
Stockle CO, Kiniry JR (1990) Variability in crop radiation-efficiency associated with vapour-pressure deficit. Field Crop Res 25(3-4):171–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4290(90)90001-R
Taylor CS (1993) Kenaf: an emerging new crop industry. New crops. In: Janick J, Simon JE (eds) . Willey Press, New York, pp 402–407
Urban O, Janouš D, Acosta M, Czerný R, Marková I, Navrátil M, Pavelka M, Pokorný R, Šprtová M, Zhang R, Špunda V, Grace J, Marek MV (2007a) Ecophysiological controls over the net ecosystem exchange of mountain spruce stand. Comparison of the response in direct vs. diffuse solar radiation. Glob Chang Biol 13(1):157–168. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2006.01265.x
Urban O, Košvancová M, Marek MV, Lichtenthaler HK (2007b) Induction of photosynthesis and importance of limitations during the induction phase in sun and shade leaves of five ecologically contrasting tree species from the temperate zone. Tree Physiol 27(8):1207–1215. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/27.8.1207
USEPA (2005) US Environmental Protection Agency – Metrics for expressing greenhouse gas emissions: carbon equivalents and carbon dioxide equivalents. EPA420-F-05-002. Washington, DC
Vajda M (2012) Radiation use efficiency in new biomass production of the spruce stand. Thesis, Brno, Mendel University, 39 p. (in Czech with English summary)
Vejpustková M, Čihák T, Zahradník D, Šrámek V (2013) Methods of aboveground assessment for European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). Lesnický průvodce 1/2013. Certified methodology, Strnady, Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, 32 p. (in Czech with English summary)
Vejpustková M, Čihák T, Šrámek V (2017) Quantification of aboveground biomass of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) KARST.). Lesnický průvodce 3/2017. Certified methodology, Strnady, Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, 28 p. (in Czech with English summary)
Volná M (2008) Transformation of solar radiation into the biomass of spruce stand at the Bílý Kříž (the Czech Republic). Thesis, Brno, Mendel University, 45 p. (in Czech with English summary)
Vose JM, Allen HL (1988) Leaf-area, stemwood growth, and nutrition relationships in loblolly-pine. For Sci 34(3):547–563
Wang YP, Jarvis PG (1990) Description and validation of an array model – MAESTRO. Agric For Meteorol 51(3-4):257–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-1923(90)90112-J
Waring RH, Thies WG, Muscato D (1980) Stem growth per unit of leaf area: a measure of tree vigor. For Sci 26(1):112–117
Woodbury PB, Smith JE, Heath LS (2007) Carbon sequestration in the U.S. forest sector from 1990 to 2010. For Ecol Manag 241(1-3):14–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2006.12.008
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the technical workers for their help with taking field measurements. Thanks are also due to Aaron Butcher for proofreading the text. Finally, we would like to thank two anonymous reviewers for their constructive criticism.
Funding
J.Č., M.V., V.Š., and P.B. were financially supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, institutional support MZE-RO0118. All authors received support from the National Agency of Agriculture Research for funding Project No. QK1810415.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
J.Č. initiated the study, performed the evaluation and wrote the manuscript. P.B. initiated the study and reworked the manuscript. R.P. contributed to reviewing and writing the manuscript. M.V. and V.Š. provided the data. All authors approved the manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Highlights
• RUE is significantly dependent on air temperature
• The RUE value decreased with increasing air temperature
• The new straightforward method involving digital hemispherical photographs analysis for RUE estimation was applied
• Stand growth, as well as carbon storage, increased with higher RUE values
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Černý, J., Pokorný, R., Vejpustková, M. et al. Air temperature is the main driving factor of radiation use efficiency and carbon storage of mature Norway spruce stands under global climate change. Int J Biometeorol 64, 1599–1611 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-01941-w
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-01941-w