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Contributed Talk

Session: : Communities: Traits And Functional Diversity 2

COS 168-4 - Global tree allometric traits vary in response to climate, competition and biome type.

Wednesday, August 9, 2023
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM PDT
Location: C120-121

    Presenting Author(s)

  • JD

    Jingyu Dai

    New Mexico State University
    11, United States

    • Coauthor(s)

  • SF

    Siwen Feng

    Peking University, China (People's Republic)

  • HL

    Hongyan Liu

    Peking University, China (People's Republic)

  • KY

    Kailiang Yu

    Princeton University, United States

  • ZT

    Zhiyao Tang

    Peking University, China (People's Republic)

  • BL

    Boyi Liang

    Beijing Forestry University, China (People's Republic)

  • QY

    Qiuyan Yu

    New Mexico State University
    11, NM, United States

  • NH

    Niall Hanan

    New Mexico State University, New Mexico, United States

Abstract: Tree allometries, characterizing the relationship between stem diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (HT), and crown area (CA), provide tools to conveniently quantify forest structure and important parameters for dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs). However, the lack of research on global DBH-HT-CA allometry has led to the over-generalization of tree-allometric relationships in DGVMs. Here, we investigate the patterns and determinants of global tree allometry with the Tallo database, using an ensemble random forest approach. Global tree allometries vary systematically with latitude and among vegetation type and phylogeny. Temperature, aridity, wind speed and tree density collectively determine tree allometry pattern. The growth module of a leading DGVM (LPJ-DGVM) predicts only the 95% percentile regression of DBH-HT allometry and the 5% percentile of DBH-CA allometry, indicating DGVMs likely inducing systematic bias in allometry. Our work addresses a knowledge gap of global tree allometry patterns and determinants, providing insight into global trait variability and guidance for DGVM parameterization.