Comparison between the stem and leaf photosynthetic productivity in Eucalyptus urophylla plantations with different age

Main conclusionWe developed a more realistic modeling framework by integrating stem photosynthesis into the canopy carbon assimilation model to compare the photosynthetic productivity between the stem and leaf of Eucalyptus urophylla plantations.Stems of Eucalyptus species with smooth outer bark have photosynthetic green tissue that can recycle internal stem CO2. However, the potential contribution of stem photosynthesis to forest productivity has not previously been adequately quantified, and we also do not know how it compares to leaf photosynthetic productivity. To assist in addressing this knowledge gap, we conducted field surveys in Eucalyptus urophylla plantations of different ages and developed a more realistic modeling framework by integrating stem photosynthesis into the existing canopy carbon assimilation model. We calculated the proportion of tree stems shaded by neighboring tree trunks based on Poisson spatial point process. Under the stand density of 2000 trees per hectare, the light absorption area of tree trunks of 2-year-old and 7-year-old E. urophylla plantations were 0.11 (+/- 0.15) and 0.35 (+/- 0.12) m(2) stem m(-2) land, the stem photosynthetic productivity (GPP(stem)) was 0.72 (+/- 0.45) and 1.81 (+/- 1.12) mol C m(-2) month(-1), and the ratios of GPP(stem) to leaf photosynthetic productivity (GPP(leaf)) were 5.10 and 8.17% for 2- and 7-year-old plantations, respectively. Overall, this study presents the feasibility of incorporating stem photosynthesis into the productivity prediction of E. urophylla plantations by developing the stem light absorption model.