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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 35(10)

Parametric identification of a functional–structural tree growth model and application to beech trees (Fagus sylvatica)

Véronique Letort A D , Paul-Henry Cournède A , Amélie Mathieu A , Philippe de Reffye B and Thiéry Constant C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Ecole Centrale of Paris, Laboratoire de Mathématiques Appliquées aux Systèmes, F-92295 Châtenay-Malabry cedex, France.

B Cirad-Amis, UMR AMAP, TA 40/01 Avenue Agropolis, F-34398 Montpellier cedex 5, France and INRIA-Saclay, Parc Orsay Université, F-91893 Orsay cedex, France.

C LERFOB UMR INRA-ENGREF No. 1092, Wood Quality Research Team, INRA Research Centre of Nancy, F-54280 Champenoux, France.

D Corresponding author. Email: letort@mas.ecp.fr

This paper originates from a presentation at the 5th International Workshop on Functional–Structural Plant Models, Napier, New Zealand, November 2007.

Functional Plant Biology 35(10) 951-963 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP08065
Submitted: 8 March 2008  Accepted: 22 September 2008   Published: 11 November 2008

Abstract

Functional–structural models provide detailed representations of tree growth and their application to forestry seems full of prospects. However, owing to the complexity of tree architecture, parametric identification of such models remains a critical issue. We present the GreenLab approach for modelling tree growth. It simulates tree growth plasticity in response to changes of their internal level of trophic competition, especially topological development and cambial growth. The model includes a simplified representation of tree architecture, based on a species-specific description of branching patterns. We study whether those simplifications allow enough flexibility to reproduce with the same set of parameters the growth of two observed understorey beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) of different ages in different environmental conditions. The parametric identification of the model is global, i.e. all parameters are estimated simultaneously, potentially providing a better description of interactions between sub-processes. As a result, the source–sink dynamics throughout tree development is retrieved. Simulated and measured trees were compared for their trunk profiles (fresh masses and dimensions of every growth units, ring diameters at different heights) and compartment masses of their order 2 branches. Possible improvements of this method by including topological criteria are discussed.

Additional keywords: architectural development, carbon allocation, parameter estimation, plasticity.


Acknowledgement

Data were collected with the support of the LERFOB Wood Quality research team. We particularly thank Claude Houssement, Emmanuel Cornu and Alain Mercanti for their help in the measurement process. This research is partly supported by the Cap Digital Business Cluster Terra Numerica project.


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