Process-Based Modeling to Assess the Effects of Recent Climatic Variation on Site Productivity and Forest Function across Western North America
A process-based forest growth model, 3-PG (Physiological Principles Predicting Growth), parameterized with values of soil properties constrained by satellite-derived estimates of maximum leaf area index (LAImax), was run for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) to contrast the extent to which site gr...
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doaj-260be3757296442b992c99a665d645552020-11-24T23:24:00ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072014-03-015351853410.3390/f5030518f5030518Process-Based Modeling to Assess the Effects of Recent Climatic Variation on Site Productivity and Forest Function across Western North AmericaRichard H. Waring0Nicholas C. Coops1Amanda Mathys2Thomas Hilker3Greg Latta4College of Forestry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USADepartment of Forest Resource Management, 2424 Main Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, CanadaDepartment of Forest Resource Management, 2424 Main Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, CanadaCollege of Forestry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USACollege of Forestry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USAA process-based forest growth model, 3-PG (Physiological Principles Predicting Growth), parameterized with values of soil properties constrained by satellite-derived estimates of maximum leaf area index (LAImax), was run for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) to contrast the extent to which site growth potential might vary across western North America between a cool, wet period (1950–1975) and a more recent, generally warmer and drier one (2000–2009). LAImax represents a surrogate for overall site growth potential, as demonstrated from a strong correlation between the two variables, with the latter based on the culmination of mean annual increment estimates made at 3356 ground-based U.S. Forest Service survey plots across the states of Oregon and Washington. Results indicate that since 2000, predicted LAImax has decreased more than 20% in portions of the Southwest USA and for much of the forested area in western Alberta. Similar percentage increases in LAImax were predicted for parts of British Columbia, Idaho and Montana. The modeling analysis included an assessment of changes in seasonal constraints on gross primary production (GPP). A general reduction in limitations caused by spring frost occurred across the entire study area. This has led to a longer growing season, along with notable increases in summer evaporative demand and soil drought for much of the study area away from the maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean.http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/5/3/518climate change3-PG modelproductivityleaf area indexDouglas-firFIA survey plots |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Richard H. Waring Nicholas C. Coops Amanda Mathys Thomas Hilker Greg Latta |
spellingShingle |
Richard H. Waring Nicholas C. Coops Amanda Mathys Thomas Hilker Greg Latta Process-Based Modeling to Assess the Effects of Recent Climatic Variation on Site Productivity and Forest Function across Western North America Forests climate change 3-PG model productivity leaf area index Douglas-fir FIA survey plots |
author_facet |
Richard H. Waring Nicholas C. Coops Amanda Mathys Thomas Hilker Greg Latta |
author_sort |
Richard H. Waring |
title |
Process-Based Modeling to Assess the Effects of Recent Climatic Variation on Site Productivity and Forest Function across Western North America |
title_short |
Process-Based Modeling to Assess the Effects of Recent Climatic Variation on Site Productivity and Forest Function across Western North America |
title_full |
Process-Based Modeling to Assess the Effects of Recent Climatic Variation on Site Productivity and Forest Function across Western North America |
title_fullStr |
Process-Based Modeling to Assess the Effects of Recent Climatic Variation on Site Productivity and Forest Function across Western North America |
title_full_unstemmed |
Process-Based Modeling to Assess the Effects of Recent Climatic Variation on Site Productivity and Forest Function across Western North America |
title_sort |
process-based modeling to assess the effects of recent climatic variation on site productivity and forest function across western north america |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Forests |
issn |
1999-4907 |
publishDate |
2014-03-01 |
description |
A process-based forest growth model, 3-PG (Physiological Principles Predicting Growth), parameterized with values of soil properties constrained by satellite-derived estimates of maximum leaf area index (LAImax), was run for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) to contrast the extent to which site growth potential might vary across western North America between a cool, wet period (1950–1975) and a more recent, generally warmer and drier one (2000–2009). LAImax represents a surrogate for overall site growth potential, as demonstrated from a strong correlation between the two variables, with the latter based on the culmination of mean annual increment estimates made at 3356 ground-based U.S. Forest Service survey plots across the states of Oregon and Washington. Results indicate that since 2000, predicted LAImax has decreased more than 20% in portions of the Southwest USA and for much of the forested area in western Alberta. Similar percentage increases in LAImax were predicted for parts of British Columbia, Idaho and Montana. The modeling analysis included an assessment of changes in seasonal constraints on gross primary production (GPP). A general reduction in limitations caused by spring frost occurred across the entire study area. This has led to a longer growing season, along with notable increases in summer evaporative demand and soil drought for much of the study area away from the maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean. |
topic |
climate change 3-PG model productivity leaf area index Douglas-fir FIA survey plots |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/5/3/518 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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