title: Modeling forest stand dynamics from optimal balances of carbon and nitrogen.
abstract: We formulate a dynamic evolutionary optimization problem to predict the optimal pattern by which carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) are co-allocated to fine-root, leaf, and wood production, with the objective of maximizing height growth rate, year by year, in an even-aged stand. Height growth is maximized with respect to two adaptive traits, leaf N concentration and the ratio of fine-root mass to sapwood cross-sectional area. Constraints on the optimization include pipe-model structure, the C cost of N acquisition, and agreement between the C and N balances. The latter is determined by two models of height growth rate, one derived from the C balance and the other from the N balance; agreement is defined by identical growth rates. Predicted time-courses of maximized height growth rate accord with general observations. Across an N gradient, higher N availability leads to greater N utilization and net primary productivity, larger trees, and greater stocks of leaf and live wood biomass, with declining gains as a result of saturation effects at high N availability. Fine-root biomass is greatest at intermediate N availability. Predicted leaf and fine-root stocks agree with data from coniferous stands across Finland. Optimal C-allocation patterns agree with published observations and model analyses.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Forest Service, 271 Mast Road, Durham, NH 03824-4600, USA.
authors.forename: Harry T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Valentine
authors.affiliation: Department of Forest Sciences, PO Box 27, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Annikki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mäkelä
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism*; D016468:Forestry; D008954:Models, Biological; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D041605:Pinus sylvestris / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D014197:Trees / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen