Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Ecology

Publication Date

4-1993

Volume

74

Issue

3

First Page

792

Last Page

797

Abstract

A computer model of forest growth and ecosystem processes is presented. The model, HYBRID, is derived from a forest gap model, an ecosystem process model, and a photosynthesis model. In HYBRID individual trees fix and respire carbon, and lose water daily; carbon partioning occurs at the end of each year. HYBRID obviates many of the linitations of both gap models and ecosystem process models. The growth equations of gap models are replaced with functionally realistic equations and processes for carbon fixation and partitioning, resulting in a dynamic model in which competition and physiology play important roles. The model is used to predict ecosystem processes and dynamics in oak forests in Knoxville, Tennessee (USA), and pine forests in Missoula, Montana (USA) between the years 1910 and 1986. The simulated growth of individual trees and the overall ecosystems—level processes are very similiar to observations. A sensitivity analysis performed for these sites showed that predictions of net primary productivity by HBRID are most sensitive to the ratio of CO2 partial pressure between inside the leaf and the air, relative humidity, ambient CO2 partial pressure, precipitation, air temperature, tree allometry, respiration parametes, site soil water capacity, and a carbon storage parameter.

Keywords

ecosystem process model, forest, gap model.leaf area index, modeling, Pinus contorta, productivity, Quercus alba, resperation, sapwood, storage, tree

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1940806

Rights

© 1993 The Ecological Society of America

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