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  • Book
  • © 2011

Size- and Age-Related Changes in Tree Structure and Function

  • Unique and timely synthesis of current state of knowledge and future research needs on the topic
  • Contents of interest to forest managers and silviculturists as well as those conducting basic research
  • Information in book has important implications for policymakers in the context of forests, climate change and the carbon cycle

Part of the book series: Tree Physiology (TREE, volume 4)

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Table of contents (18 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiv
  2. The Whole-Lifespan Perspective on Integration of Structure and Function

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
  3. THE WHOLE-LIFESPAN PERSPECTIVE ON INTEGRATION OF STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

    1. A Lifespan Perspective on Integrating Structure and Function in Trees

      • Thomas M. Hinckley, Barbara Lachenbruch, Frederick C. Meinzer, Todd E. Dawson
      Pages 3-30
  4. Reproduction and Regeneration

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 31-31
  5. REPRODUCTION AND REGENERATION

    1. The Earliest Stages of Tree Growth: Development, Physiology and Impacts of Microclimate

      • Daniel M. Johnson, Katherine A. McCulloh, Keith Reinhardt
      Pages 65-87
  6. Integration of Structure and Function Across Ontogeny

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 89-89
  7. INTEGRATION OF STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION ACROSS ONTOGENY

    1. Regulation of Ontogeny in Temperate Conifers

      • Michael E. Day, Michael S. Greenwood
      Pages 91-119
    2. Influence of Tree Ontogeny on Plant-Herbivore Interactions

      • Karina Boege, Kasey E. Barton, Rodolfo Dirzo
      Pages 193-214
  8. Photosynthetic Gas Exchange and Carbon Balance

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 233-233
  9. PHOTOSYNTHETIC GAS EXCHANGE AND CARBON BALANCE

    1. Tree Size- and Age-Related Changes in Leaf Physiology and Their Influence on Carbon Gain

      • Kathy Steppe, Ăślo Niinemets, Robert O. Teskey
      Pages 235-253
    2. Relationships Between Tree Height and Carbon Isotope Discrimination

      • Nate G. McDowell, Barbara J. Bond, Lee T. Dickman, Michael G. Ryan, David Whitehead
      Pages 255-286
    3. Carbon Storage in Trees: Does Relative Carbon Supply Decrease with Tree Size?

      • Anna Sala, Willa Fouts, GĂĽnter Hoch
      Pages 287-306
  10. Water Relations and Transport Processes

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 307-307
  11. WATER RELATIONS AND TRANSPORT PROCESSES

    1. Comparative Criteria for Models of the Vascular Transport Systems of Tall Trees

      • Maurizio Mencuccini, Teemu Hölttä, Jordi Martinez-Vilalta
      Pages 309-339
    2. Hydraulic Capacitance: Biophysics and Functional Significance of Internal Water Sources in Relation to Tree Size

      • Fabian G. Scholz, Nathan G. Phillips, Sandra J. Bucci, Frederick C. Meinzer, Guillermo Goldstein
      Pages 341-361
    3. Size-Dependent Changes in Biophysical Control of Tree Growth: The Role of Turgor

      • David R. Woodruff, Frederick C. Meinzer
      Pages 363-384

About this book

Millions of trees live and grow all around us, and we all recognize the vital role they play in the world’s ecosystems. Publicity campaigns exhort us to plant yet more. Yet until recently comparatively little was known about the root causes of the physical changes that attend their growth. Since trees typically increase in size by three to four orders of magnitude in their journey to maturity, this gap in our knowledge has been a crucial issue to address. Here at last is a synthesis of the current state of our knowledge about both the causes and consequences of ontogenetic changes in key features of tree structure and function.

During their ontogeny, trees undergo numerous changes in their physiological function, the structure and mechanical properties of their wood, and overall architecture and allometry. This book examines the central interplay between these changes and tree size and age. It also explores the impact these changes can have, at the level of the individual tree, on the emerging characteristics of forest ecosystems at various stages of their development. The analysis offers an explanation for the importance of discriminating between the varied physical properties arising from the nexus of size and age, as well as highlighting the implications these ontogenetic changes have for commercial forestry and climate change. This important and timely summation of our knowledge base in this area, written by highly respected researchers, will be of huge interest, not only to researchers, but also to forest managers and silviculturists.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Forestry Sciences Lab., Ecosystem Processes Program, USDA Forest Service, Corvallis, USA

    Frederick C. Meinzer

  • , Department of Wood Science and Engineeri, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA

    Barbara Lachenbruch

  • Dept. Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, USA

    Todd E. Dawson

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 229.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access