Effects of intraspecific competition on growth, architecture and biomass allocation of Quercus Liaotungensis

Abstract

Liaodong oak (Quercus liaotungensis) is an ecologically important tree species on the Loess Plateau in China that experiences strong intraspecific competition. Therefore, here, we aimed to clarify the strategies of Liaodong oak under intraspecific competition by examining the growth, architecture, and biomass allocation, and analyzed their relationships with the competition intensity. We found that intraspecific competition severely limited the accumulation of biomass in Liaodong oak and this competition was asymmetric among individuals. Intense competition among these trees resulted in a greater allocation of biomass to the belowground parts, allowing them to compete for moisture, which is a limited resource. Aboveground, the trees tended to allocate more resources to their trunks to ensure that tree height growth was not affected, resulting in a decreased diameter at breast height (DBH)/tree height ratio and tapering of the tree, thereby improving stem quality. By contrast, the amount of biomass that was allocated to the branches was greatly reduced through a reduction in the diameter and length of the branches rather than the number of branches. ARTICLE HISTORY

Changes of Aboveground and Belowground Biomass Allocation in Four Dominant Grassland Species Across a Precipitation Gradient

“…It is possible that plant age affects allocation patterns, with for example Yu et al (2019) reporting that resource limitation could be partially the reason of decreasing allocation with age, where resources such as nutrients and waters become limited with plant grow (age). Moreover, we allowed intraspecific competition in our study, which is realistic, but which would also alter allocation patterns ( Yang et al, 2019 ). Comparisons with experiments considering individual plants (e.g., Lamb et al, 2007 ), are thus not straightforward.…”

“…Belowground reporting that resource limitation could be partially the reason of decreasing allocation with age, where resources such as nutrients and waters become limited with plant grow (age). Moreover, we allowed intraspecific competition in our study, which is realistic, but which would also alter allocation patterns (Yang et al, 2019).…”

Landscape management among the Guarani of the Atlantic Forest of Misiones, Argentina: the case of the Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman (Arecaceae) palm tree

“…Teko'a Pindo Poty, management of the Guarani territory, area without vegetation cover (peridomestic and agricultural spaces). (Yang et al 2019). Another study suggests that the decrease in DBH in senile adult palm trees may be related to a physiological variation produced after the first flowering and fruiting which generates a loss of vegetative vigor and a reduction in the meristematic activity of the apex (Guzmán et al 2017).…”

Mixing effect on stand yield ofPinus tabulaeformisandQuercus liaotungensisis modulated by site quality and stand density in the Loess Plateau, China

“…When oak is shaded, it allocates its limited resources to vertical growth and survival while inhibiting radial growth of the trunk and branches (Whitelam et al 1998). This strategy ensures that the tree reaches the main forest layer in the shortest time and occupies a dominant position to obtain enough light resources for radial growth and branch growth at a later stage (Yang et al 2019). Therefore, the existence of pine in the mixed stands could provide better light conditions for oak and accelerate its growth rate in the early growth stage (Figure 9(c)), and once in a dominant position, oak has a relatively high light saturation point and bigger tree crown, which ensures high LUE and the tree can quickly make up for growth inhibition during the early growth stage.…”