It would seem that "thoughts or ideas" would best be based on some vague
notion of the aims of the study/dissertation.
Given that limitation, I am reminded of a thorny question that I have been
snagged on before--variations in site conditions and their effect on
allometric data. For example, as a tree grows, EFFECTIVE site conditions
change, not only seasonally (supposedly reflecting precipitation) but with
age. This phenomenon was not adequately addressed back in the Stoned Age
when I was boring trees with incremental fussiness, so perhaps someone can
bring this rather anachronistic muser up to date on this subject.
With respect to Thorn's stated interests (the ~ 5-meter height "range"), I
might surmise that there might be fewer variations in annual ring
measurements/dbh of trees in sites that might, a few years later, be
comparatively stressed ones. Whether or not this would be relevant to
Thorn's issue, I dare not say. I might also speculate that variations in
light would need to be accounted for. I would be wary of "public" data sets,
and all "authoritative" data from outside the study team.
I will be grateful to anyone who can bring me up to date and correct any
lingering illusions that might be clouding my observations and I look
forward to Thorn's further exposition of her aims, if not approach.
WT
----- Original Message -----
From: "A. Thorn" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 12:30 PM
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] public data sets - tree allometry?
Greetings, all.
I am working on some tree physiology models, and am missing a few
parameter values on temperate tree allometry. I'm sure that I could find
the information I need in published papers, but I was wondering whether I
could save myself some time by getting values directly from public data
sets. Can anyone recommend a database to check out?
My specific model species are Acer saccharum, Quercus rubra, and Betula
papyrifera, though I'd be happy to have relevant parameter values for just
one or two of these or related species. I'm particularly interested in
smaller trees, in the ~5 meter height range. I need to know the
relationships among diameter at breast height, tree height, and total leaf
area.
Thoughts or ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Alexandra Thorn
Doctoral Candidate
Department of Biology
Tufts University
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