Leveraging signatures of plant functional strategies in wood density profiles of African trees to correct mass estimations from terrestrial laser data

Momo Takoudjou Stéphane, Ploton Pierre, Martin-Ducup Olivier, Lehnebach Romain, Fortunel Claire, Takougoum Sagang Le Bienfaiteur, Boyemba Faustin, Couteron Pierre, Fayolle Adeline, Libalah Moses, Loumeto Jean-Joël, Medjibé Vincent, Ngomanda Alfred, Obiang Diosdado, Pélissier Raphaël, Rossi Vivien, Yongo Olga Diane, Sonké Bonaventure, Barbier Nicolas. 2020. Leveraging signatures of plant functional strategies in wood density profiles of African trees to correct mass estimations from terrestrial laser data. Scientific Reports, 10:2001, 11 p.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58733-w

Article de revue ; Article de recherche ; Article de revue à facteur d'impact Revue en libre accès total

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Quartile : Q1, Sujet : MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES

Résumé : Wood density (WD) relates to important tree functions such as stem mechanics and resistance against pathogens. This functional trait can exhibit high intraindividual variability both radially and vertically. With the rise of LiDAR-based methodologies allowing nondestructive tree volume estimations, failing to account for WD variations related to tree function and biomass investment strategies may lead to large systematic bias in AGB estimations. Here, we use a unique destructive dataset from 822 trees belonging to 51 phylogenetically dispersed tree species harvested across forest types in Central Africa to determine vertical gradients in WD from the stump to the branch tips, how these gradients relate to regeneration guilds and their implications for AGB estimations. We find that decreasing WD from the tree base to the branch tips is characteristic of shade-tolerant species, while light-demanding and pioneer species exhibit stationary or increasing vertical trends. Across all species, the WD range is narrower in tree crowns than at the tree base, reflecting more similar physiological and mechanical constraints in the canopy. Vertical gradients in WD induce significant bias (10%) in AGB estimates when using database-derived species-average WD data. However, the correlation between the vertical gradients and basal WD allows the derivation of general correction models. With the ongoing development of remote sensing products providing 3D information for entire trees and forest stands, our findings indicate promising ways to improve greenhouse gas accounting in tropical countries and advance our understanding of adaptive strategies allowing trees to grow and survive in dense rainforests.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : bois, densité, biomasse aérienne des arbres, forêt tropicale humide, télédétection, laser, écologie forestière, changement climatique

Mots-clés géographiques Agrovoc : Afrique centrale

Mots-clés libres : Climate change ecology, Plant ecology

Classification Agris : K01 - Foresterie - Considérations générales
F40 - Écologie végétale
U30 - Méthodes de recherche

Champ stratégique Cirad : CTS 1 (2019-) - Biodiversité

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