Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2001/01193
Endogenous regulation of age-related changes in forest net primary productivity.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr M Mencuccini, University of Edinburgh, Sch of Geosciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Edinburgh, Sch of Geosciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Global Change
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Physiology
- Ecosystem Scale Processes
- Climate & Climate Change
- Abstract:
- Available evidence suggests that net primary productivity of forest ecosystems declines with stand age. Two question marks exist about the nature and the degree of this decline: a) Whether the decline is limited to the net growth of the aboveground organs (litter included), or whether it involves reductions in assimilation rates at the scale of whole tree canopies; and b) Whether the observed declines in leaf-level assimilation rates in old trees is a response to environmental, physical or physiological factors. Current evidence suggests that tree size may be an important factor, as long stems and branches may act to reduce the plant hydraulic supply. We propose to investigate these two questions using a combination of greenhouse experiments and field-based observations and manipulations in stands of Scots pine, where a substantial body of information already exists. In the field, we will use branch bags at different canopy levels in three age classes to determine whether assimilation (and transpiration) rates truly decline with tree size (and age). Measurements of available light, nutrient concentration and specific leaf area will be taken to scale branch-level measurements across age classes. In the greenhouse, we will graft cuttings taken from trees of different ages onto a common juvenile rootstock to decouple age from size and ask whether reduced leaf-level photosynthetic rates are due to size per so, or to genetic regulation via bud meristematic age.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/A/S/2001/01193
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £222,050
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Equipment | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £9,220 | £117,558 | £3,911 | £37,285 | £54,076 |
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