The relationship between tree size and tree water-use: is competition for water size-symmetric or size-asymmetric?

ABSTRACT: Relationships between tree size and water use indicate how soil water is partitioned between differently sized individuals, and hence competition for water. These relationships are rarely examined, let alone whether there is consistency in shape across populations. Competition for water among plants is often assumed to be size-symmetric, i.e., exponents (b1) of power functions (water use ∝ biomassb1) equal to 1, with all sizes using the same amount of water proportionally to their size. We tested the hypothesis that b1 actually varies greatly, and based on allometric theory, that b1 is only centered around 1 when size is quantified as basal area or sapwood area (not diameter). We also examined whether b1 varies spatially and temporally in relation to stand structure (height and density) an

SUBMITTER: Forrester DI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9838098 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature