Sectional model of non-free tree growth

Abstract

The three-dimensional model of biomass dynamics of a tree growing on a limited territory presented. The tree consists of structural sections periodically arising on its top. Each section generates a virtual "tree". Adjacent virtual trees are nested each other and their difference is the section. Sections have biomass dynamics which differs from the dynamics of the tree and gradually die off (including in course of the free growth of the tree), giving effect denudation of trunk from bottom. This is observed in nature. The 3D-model of biomass dynamics of a tree, growing in a limited area, for describing the biomass dynamics of sections and their constituent sectors uses equations similar to those proposed earlier for the 2D-tree model. Examples of biomass dynamics of sectors, sections and tree obtained using the developed model are presented. The dynamics of the hodographs of the azimuthal biomass distribution of sections demonstrates that the lower sections of a tree growing in a limited area, are in oppression and die (more quickly compared with the model of freely growing tree), and new sections on top of the tree appear and grow freely. As a result, "wave" of tree biomass runs up the trunk.

Keywords

• 2D-model
• biomass dynamics
• not free growth of a tree
• sectional model
• competition in community