Carbon allocation and accumulation in conifers
Forests cover approximately 33% of the land surface of the earth, yet they are responsible for 65% of the annual carbon (C) accumulated by all terrestrial biomes. In general, total C content and net primary production rates are greater for forests than for other biomes, but C budgets differ greatly among forests. Despite several decades of research on forest C budgets, there is still an incomplete understanding of the factors controlling C allocation. Yet, if we are to understand how changing global events such as land use, climate change, atmospheric N deposition, ozone, and elevated atmospheric CO{sub 2} affect the global C budget, a mechanistic understanding of C assimilation, partitioning, and allocation is necessary. The objective of this chapter is to review the major factors that influence C allocation and accumulation in conifer trees and forests. In keeping with the theme of this book, we will focus primarily on evergreen conifers. However, even among evergreen conifers, leaf, canopy, and stand-level C and nutrient allocation patterns differ, often as a function of leaf development and longevity. The terminology related to C allocation literature is often inconsistent, confusing and inadequate for understanding and integrating past and current research. For example, terms often used synonymously to describe C flow or movement include translocation, transport, distribution, allocation, partitioning, apportionment, and biomass allocation. A common terminology is needed because different terms have different meanings to readers. In this paper we use C allocation, partitioning, and accumulation according to the definitions of Dickson and Isebrands (1993). Partitioning is the process of C flow into and among different chemical, storage, and transport pools. Allocation is the distribution of C to different plant parts within the plant (i.e., source to sink). Accumulation is the end product of the process of C allocation.
- Research Organization:
- Wyoming Univ., Laramie, WY (United States). Dept. of Botany
- OSTI ID:
- 62345
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/61253-1-Vol.2; CONF-9109550-Vol.2; CNN: Grant BSR-8918022; Grant BSR-9107419; TRN: 95:004107-0007
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Workshop on physiological ecology of coniferous forests, Laramie, WY (United States), 16-19 Sep 1991; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Resource physiology of conifers: Acquisition, allocation, and utilization; Smith, W.K. [ed.] [Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States). Dept. of Botany]; Hickley, T.M. [ed.] [Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States). Coll. of Forest Resources]; PB: 409 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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