Measurement of the leaf area index and its seasonal dynamics in Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake plantations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29298/rmcf.v12i63.808Keywords:
Allometry, leaf area, hemispheric photography, gaps fraction, leaf litter, commercial forest plantationsAbstract
Leaf area index (IAF, m2 m-2) is an indicator of productivity in forest plantations and can be used to describe the response of trees to the application of silvicultural practices. The objective of the study was to identify a precise and efficient method to estimate the IAF in commercial forest plantations of Eucalyptus urophylla. At the same time, the seasonal dynamics of the IAF was analyzed for one year. 28 sampling units were established in which monthly IAF measurements were made using the litter (IAFHojarasca) and optical (IAFÓptico) collection methods. Additionally, a destructive sampling of 93 trees was implemented to estimate the IAF through allometry (IAFAlométrico). The estimated average values of IAF were 2.7, 2.6 and 1.6 for the allometric, litter collection, and optical methods, respectively. This implied an average underestimation of 39 and 37 % of the optical method compared to the allometric and litter collection methods, respectively. A correlation analysis of the IAF estimates, obtained through the three methods applied, allowed to identify a high association (r = 0.75, Pearson's correlation coefficient) between the values estimated with the litter collection and optical methods. Based on this result (association), a regression model was adjusted to calibrate IAFÓptico values (indirect measurements) to more precise estimates, IAFCalibrado. The maximum value of IAF was recorded during July and August, months of greatest growth for E. urophylla under commercial plantation conditions in Mexico.
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