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Characterisation, prediction and relationships between different wavebands of solar radiation transmitted in the understorey of even-aged oak (Quercus petraea, Q. robur) stands

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Abstract

Solar radiation transmission in forest stands affects many processes, including biomass and diversity of understorey vegetation and tree seedling regeneration (growth and morphogenesis). However, understorey light availability is not easy for forest managers or scientists to measure. Therefore, different models have been developed to predict light transmission in forest stands according to tree or stand structure. However, these models are generally too complex to be used operationally. This paper reports the assessment of light transmission according to stand parameters commonly measured by foresters in inventories. We measured transmittance in 29 even-aged oak stands in France for various wavebands, total solar radiation (TSR, 300–3000 nm), PAR (400–700 nm), red (R, 660 nm) and far-red (FR, 730 nm), and demonstrated that transmittance in a given waveband can be predicted from the measurement of another waveband. The R:FR ratio can be predicted according to TSR or PAR transmittance, but the opposite is also true; PAR or TSR transmittance can be predicted from the R:FR ratio. Transmittance variability was characterised, and the variation coefficient ranged from 5 to 45% with a trend to increase with tree density. By analogy to Beer–Lambert's law, we established that mean daily transmittance for the different wavebands can be assessed according to stand basal area and stand age with good accuracy (R 2>0.74). Results are discussed in comparison with other models based on the principle of parsimony.

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Acknowledgements

This study was partially supported by the French Ministry of Agriculture. We thank René Jouvie, Christophe de Berranger, Janire Chirapozu and Sylvian Dever for their contribution to the project. We are also very grateful to the CRPF (Regional Centre for Private Forests) of the Auvergne region and particularly Jean Paul Nebout, and to the ONF (National Forest Office) and particularly Félix Ruchaud and Patrick Moreau, for their help on stand research and information.

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Author notes

  1. G. Sonohat

    Present address: E.N.I.T.A., site de Marmilhat, BP35, 63370, Lempdes, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cemagref, Applied Ecology of Woodlands Team, 24 avenue des Landais, BP 50085, 63172, Aubière Cedex, France

    P. Balandier & G. Sonohat

  2. INRA-Université Blaise Pascal, UMR PIAF, 234 avenue du Brézet, 63100, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    H. Sinoquet

  3. INRA SEPF, 86600, Lusignan, France

    C. Varlet-Grancher

  4. Cemagref, Forest Ecosystem Research Unit, Domaine des Barres, 45290, Nogent sur Vernisson, France

    Y. Dumas

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  1. P. Balandier
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  2. G. Sonohat
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  3. H. Sinoquet
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  4. C. Varlet-Grancher
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Correspondence to P. Balandier.

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Communicated by M. Küppers

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Balandier, P., Sonohat, G., Sinoquet, H. et al. Characterisation, prediction and relationships between different wavebands of solar radiation transmitted in the understorey of even-aged oak (Quercus petraea, Q. robur) stands. Trees 20, 363–370 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-006-0049-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-006-0049-3

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