title: A predictive nondestructive model for the covariation of tree height, diameter, and stem volume scaling relationships.
abstract: Metabolic scaling theory (MST) posits that the scaling exponents among plant height H, diameter D, and biomass M will covary across phyletically diverse species. However, the relationships between scaling exponents and normalization constants remain unclear. Therefore, we developed a predictive model for the covariation of H, D, and stem volume V scaling relationships and used data from Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) in Jiangxi province, China to test it. As predicted by the model and supported by the data, normalization constants are positively correlated with their associated scaling exponents for D vs. V and H vs. V, whereas normalization constants are negatively correlated with the scaling exponents of H vs. D. The prediction model also yielded reliable estimations of V (mean absolute percentage error = 10.5 ± 0.32 SE across 12 model calibrated sites). These results (1) support a totally new covariation scaling model, (2) indicate that differences in stem volume scaling relationships at the intra-specific level are driven by anatomical or ecophysiological responses to site quality and/or management practices, and (3) provide an accurate non-destructive method for predicting Chinese fir stem volume.
authors.affiliation: Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province 350007, China.|Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian Province 350007, China.
authors.forename: Zhongrui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province 350007, China.|Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian Province 350007, China.
authors.forename: Quanlin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Karl J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Niklas
authors.affiliation: College of Information Engineering, Jiangxi University of Technology, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province 330098, China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian Province 350007, China.
authors.forename: Yusheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province 350007, China.|Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian Province 350007, China.
authors.forename: Dongliang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D001699:Biometry / Q000379:methods*; D002681:China; D032486:Cunninghamia / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000033:anatomy & histology