A simulation model for daily growth of shoots, needles, and stem diameter in Scots pine trees ( Pinus sylvestris).

Abstract

A simple mathematical model is described for simulating the variation in the growth rate of shoots and needles, and the rate of stem diameter growth in 28-yr-old Pinus sylvestris trees. Temperature is the only driving variable in the model, having an effect on the rate of physiological development and on the growth rate at any stage of development. The effect of the physiological stage of development on the growth rate is brought into the model by means of the concept of inherent growth rhythm. The percentage of variance explained by the model was between 68-93 for shoot and needle elongation, and between 50-60 for radial growth. -from Authors