BOREAS TE-02 Stem Growth and Sapwood Data Summary The BOREAS TE-02 team collected several data sets in support of its efforts to characterize and interpret information on the respiration of the foliage, roots, and wood of boreal vegetation. This data set contains measurements of growth and sapwood of the stems conducted in the NSA during the growing season of 1994. Table of Contents * 1 Data Set Overview * 2 Investigator(s) * 3 Theory of Measurements * 4 Equipment * 5 Data Acquisition Methods * 6 Observations * 7 Data Description * 8 Data Organization * 9 Data Manipulations * 10 Errors * 11 Notes * 12 Application of the Data Set * 13 Future Modifications and Plans * 14 Software * 15 Data Access * 16 Output Products and Availability * 17 References * 18 Glossary of Terms * 19 List of Acronyms * 20 Document Information 1. Data Set Overview 1.1 Data Set Identification BOREAS TE-02 Stem Growth and Sapwood Data 1.2 Data Set Introduction Field studies of woody tissue respiration were conducted at the BOReal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) Northern Study Area (NSA) in 1994. This data set includes the characteristics of the stem (growth, sapwood volume, etc.) for samples measured for wood respiration on tree stems conducted in the boreal forest during the growing season of 1994. These characteristics were sampled after the end of the 1994 growth season at the end of September 1994. 1.3 Objectives/Purpose The objectives of the work were to: Determine whether respiratory parameters vary among three boreal tree species (black spruce, Jack pine, and trembling aspen). Compare respiration parameters from the cold northern sites with those from the warmer, southern sites. Provide estimates of respiratory parameters for ecosystem process models. Use our estimates of wood respiration, estimates of wood biomass, and wood temperature throughout the year to estimate the annual carbon cost for wood respiration. 1.4 Summary of Parameters Each data set includes the location of chamber: (1.3 m or 6 m), diameter (outside bark) of tree where chamber was located (cm), specific gravity of sapwood (g dry weight/cm3 wood), sapwood volume (cm3) assigned to segment, growth volume (cm3) assigned to segment, growth (g dry weight) assigned to segment, phloem volume (cm3) assigned to segment, percent nitrogen by dry weight in sapwood, percent phosphorus by dry weight in sapwood, percent sugars by dry weight in sapwood, percent starch by dry weight in sapwood, and percent nonstructural carbohydrates by dry weight in sapwood. 1.5 Discussion In the NSA, the Terrestrial Ecology (TE)-02 team measured stem sapwood volume, growth in 1994, percent nitrogen, percent phosphorus, percent sugars, percent starch, percent nonstructural carbohydrates (all in sapwood or water-conducting xylem only) for Old Aspen (OA) (Populus tremuloides), Old Black Spruce (OBS) (Picea mariana), Old Jack Pine (OJP) (Pinus banksiana), Young Jack Pine (YJP) (Pinus banksiana) in 1994 after the end of the 1994 growth season at the end of September 1994. 1.6 Related Data Sets BOREAS TE-02 Wood Respiration Data BOREAS TE-02 Foliage Respiration Data BOREAS TE-02 Root Respiration Data BOREAS TE-02 Continuous Wood Respiration Data 2. Investigator(s) 2.1 Investigator(s) Name and Title Dr. Michael G. Ryan Dr. Michael Lavigne 2.2 Title of Investigation Autotrophic Respiration in Boreal Ecosystems 2.3 Contact Information Contact 1: Dr. Michael G. Ryan USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Fort Collins, CO (970) 498-1012 mryan@lamar.colostate.edu Contact 2: Dr. Michael Lavigne Forestry Canada, Maritimes Region Fredericton, New Brunswick CANADA Contact 3: Andrea Papagno Raytheon ITSS NASA GSFC Greenbelt, MD (301) 286-3134 (301) 286-0239 (fax) Andrea.Papagno@gsfc.nasa.gov 3. Theory of Measurements Respiration of woody tissues is estimated as the CO2 efflux at the boundary of the bark—air interface. Respiration of woody tissues will vary with temperature, sapwood volume, and perhaps sapwood nitrogen, phosphorus or carbohydrate content. Sampling for nitrogen, phosphorus, or carbohydrate content or determining sapwood cross-sectional area of a stem involves destructive measurements. Therefore, samples are generally taken after the respiration measurements have been completed. Samples were taken with an increment borer, or for the smaller trees, we harvested and removed a short cylinder (about 1 cm thick from the stem). The sapwood/heartwood boundary was determined by holding the core or ‘stem cookie’ up to a strong light (the sun). Sapwood is translucent, and heartwood is opaque. 4. Equipment 4.1 Instrument Description Samples were taken with an increment borer, or with a chainsaw or handsaw. 4.1.1 Collection Environment Twenty trees were measured in the NSA at the OJP, OBS, and OA sites, and 10 trees were measured at the YJP site. 4.1.2 Source/Platform Measurements were taken in the field. 4.1.3 Source/Platform Mission Objectives Not applicable. 4.1.4 Key Variables Location of chamber (1 = 1.3 m, 2 = about 6 m), diameter (outside bark) of tree where chamber was located, specific gravity of sapwood, sapwood volume assigned to segment, growth volume assigned to segment, growth (gm dry weight) assigned to segment, phloem volume assigned to segment, percent nitrogen by dry weight in sapwood, percent phosphorus by dry weight in sapwood, percent sugars by dry weight in sapwood, percent starch by dry weight in sapwood, percent nonstructural carbohydrates by dry weight in sapwood. 4.1.5 Principles of Operation Stem respiration was measured on 20 trees in the NSA at the OJP, OBS, and OA sites and on 10 trees at the YJP site; tree diameters spanned the range of the stand. At the OJP, OBS, and OA sites, aluminum chamber plates with an external neoprene gasket were attached to the north side of the tree with putty; loose bark was removed before attaching the chamber plate. Chambers were at 1.2 to 1.4 m height; on four trees per stand, additional chambers were placed at 6 m. For CO2 efflux measurements, a Plexiglas chamber was sealed to the chamber plate with an elastic cord. Chamber area for OA, OBS, and OJP was 110 cm2. That is counting 1/2 of the plate area (assuming 1/2 of the flux under the plate goes into the chamber and 1/2 does not). The area inside the chamber is 80.5 cm2. For measurements at YJP, split Plexiglas chambers (23 cm) enclosed the entire stem, with neoprene gaskets creating a seal. This data file describes the characteristics of the tree associated with the respiration samples. Increment cores were taken from enclosed portions of stems after chambers were removed in late September 1994. We measured bark thickness, phloem width, width of the 1994 xylem ring, and sapwood thickness on one increment core. Wood density and nitrogen concentration of sapwood were measured on a second increment core. With these data, we estimated sapwood volume, dry matter growth, and phloem volume for the segment associated with the chamber (a segment of the tree stem with height = chamber height). Growth estimates were converted to molar units by assuming a 50% carbon content for oven-dried wood. Nitrogen and phosphorus were measured with a micro-Kjeldal procedure [Lachat Instruments 1992a, b]; phosphorus was undetectable in many of the initial samples, so we stopped looking for it. Soluble sugar and starch were extracted from plant material as described by Tissue and Wright [1995]. Starch and sugar concentration was determined colorimetrically using the phenol-sulfuric acid method of Dubois et al. [1956]. Methods are more fully described in Lavigne and Ryan [1997] and Ryan et al. [1995]. 4.1.6 Sensor/Instrument Measurement Geometry None. 4.1.7 Manufacturer of Instrument Increment borers, rulers, etc., are those commonly available to the forestry trade. 4.2 Calibration Nitrogen and carbohydrate samples were calibrated according to blanks and standards. 4.2.1 Specifications None given. 4.2.1.1 Tolerance None. 4.2.2 Frequency of Calibration Standard procedures were followed to ensure quality of the nitrogen and carbohydrate samples - blanks and standards. 4.2.3 Other Calibration Information None. 5. Data Acquisition Methods Stem respiration was measured on 20 trees in the NSA at OJP, OBS, and OA sites and on 10 trees at the YJP site; tree diameters spanned the range of the stand. At the OJP, OBS, and OA sites, aluminum chamber plates with an external neoprene gasket were attached to the north side of the tree with putty; loose bark was removed before attaching the chamber plate. Chambers were at 1.2 to 1.4 m height; on four trees per stand, additional chambers were placed at 6 m. For CO2 efflux measurements, a Plexiglas chamber was sealed to the chamber plate with an elastic cord. Chamber area for OA, OBS, and OJP was 110 cm2. That is counting 1/2 of the plate area (assuming 1/2 of the flux under the plate goes into the chamber and 1/2 does not). The area inside the chamber is 80.5 cm2. For measurements at YJP, split Plexiglas chambers (23 cm) enclosed the entire stem, with neoprene gaskets creating a seal. This data file describes the characteristics of the tree associated with the respiration samples. In the NSA, the respiration cuvettes enclosed only a portion of the circumference of the sample tree, except for the YJP site, where the cuvette enclosed the entire circumference. In the description below, 'segment' refers to a cylinder of the bole the length of which is equal to the height of the cuvette. Each data record includes the diameter (outside bark) of tree where the chamber was located (segment midpoint, cm), specific gravity of sapwood (g dry weight/cm3 wood), sapwood volume (cm3) assigned to segment, growth volume (cm3) assigned to segment, growth (g dry weight per year) assigned to segment, phloem volume (cm3) assigned to segment, percent nitrogen by dry weight, percent phosphorus by dry weight and percent sugars by dry weight, percent starch by dry weight, percent non-structural carbohydrates by dry weight. The measurements here are linked to the respiration measurements by site, tree number, and position on tree. 6. Observations 6.1 Data Notes None. 6.2 Field Notes None. 7. Data Description 7.1 Spatial Characteristics 7.1.1 Spatial Coverage The NSA measurement sites and associated North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) coordinates are: OA canopy access, site id T2Q6A, Lat/Long: 55.88691°N, 98.67479°W, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 14, N: 6,193,540.7, E: 520,342 OBS canopy access tower, site id T3R8T, Lat/Long: 55.88007°N, 98.48139°W, UTM Zone 14, N: 6,192,853.4, E: 532,444.5 OJP, site id T7Q8T, Lat/Long: 55.92842Q°N, 98.62396°W, UTM Zone 14, N: 6,198,176.3, E: 523,496.2 YJP, site id, T8S9T, Lat/Long: 55.89575 °N, 98.28706 °W, UTM Zone 14, N: 6,194,706.9, E: 544,583.9 7.1.2 Spatial Coverage Map Not available. 7.1.3 Spatial Resolution These data are point source measurements at the given locations. 7.1.4 Projection Not applicable. 7.1.5 Grid Description Not applicable. 7.2 Temporal Characteristics 7.2.1 Temporal Coverage Measurements were taken from 24-May-1994 to 25-Sep-1994. 7.2.2 Temporal Coverage Map None given. 7.2.3 Temporal Resolution None given. 7.3 Data Characteristics Data characteristics are defined in the companion data definition file (te2stsap.def). 7.4 Sample Data Record Sample data format shown in the companion data definition file (te2stsap.def). 8. Data Organization 8.1 Data Granularity All of the stem growth and sapwood data are in one file. 8.2 Data Format(s) The data files contain American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) numerical and character fields of varying length separated by commas. The character fields are enclosed with single apostrophe marks. There are no spaces between the fields. Sample data records are shown in the companion data definition file (te2stsap.def). 9. Data Manipulations 9.1 Formulae None. 9.1.1 Derivation Techniques and Algorithms None given. 9.2 Data Processing Sequence 9.2.1 Processing Steps None given. 9.2.2 Processing Changes None given. 9.3 Calculations 9.3.1 Special Corrections/Adjustments Not applicable. 9.3.2 Calculated Variables Not applicable. 9.4 Graphs and Plots Not applicable. 10. Errors 10.1 Sources of Error None given. 10.2 Quality Assessment Measurements quite accurately (+/-10%) reflect the characteristics of the wood underneath the sample chamber. How closely coupled the respiration measurements and characteristics of the wood are is unknown. Lavigne and Ryan [1997] examine how closely the respiration rates match the wood characteristics. 10.2.1 Data Validation by Source None given. 10.2.2 Confidence Level/Accuracy Judgment None given. 10.2.3 Measurement Error for Parameters None given. 10.2.4 Additional Quality Assessments None given. 10.2.5 Data Verification by Data Center Data were examined for general consistency and clarity. 11. Notes 11.1 Limitations of the Data None given. 11.2 Known Problems with the Data None given. 11.3 Usage Guidance None given. 11.4 Other Relevant Information None given. 12. Application of the Data Set These data can be used to study the sapwood volume and stem chemistry of boreal vegetation. 13. Future Modifications and Plans None given. 14. Software 14.1 Software Description None given. 14.2 Software Access None given. 15. Data Access 15.1 Contact Information Ms. Beth Nelson BOREAS Data Manager NASA GSFC Greenbelt, MD (301) 286-4005 (301) 286-0239 (fax) Elizabeth.Nelson@gsfc.nasa.gov 15.2 Data Center Identification See Section 15.1. 15.3 Procedures for Obtaining Data Users may place requests by telephone, electronic mail, or fax. 15.4 Data Center Status/Plans The TE-02 stem growth and sapwood data are available from the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC). The BOREAS contact at ORNL is: ORNL DAAC User Services Oak Ridge National Laboratory (865) 241-3952 ornldaac@ornl.gov ornl@eos.nasa.gov 16. Output Products and Availability 16.1 Tape Products None. 16.2 Film Products None. 16.3 Other Products Tabular ASCII files. 17. References 17.1 Platform/Sensor/Instrument/Data Processing Documentation None. 17.2 Journal Articles and Study Reports Dubois, M., K.A. Gilles, J.K. Hamilton, P.A. Rebers, and F. Smith. 1956. Colorimetric method for determination of sugars and related substances. Anal. Chem. 28: 350-356. Lachat Instruments. 1992a. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen in soil/plant. Lachat Instruments, Milwaukee, WI, USA. Lachat Instruments. 1992b. Total phosphorus in Kjeldahl digests. Lachat Instruments, Milwaukee, WI, USA. Lavigne, M.B. and M.G. Ryan. 1997. Growth and maintenance respiration rates of aspen, black spruce and jack pine stems at northern and southern BOREAS sites. Tree Physiol., BOREAS Special Issue, 17: 543-551. Ryan, M.G., M.B. Lavigne, and S.T. Gower. 1997. Annual carbon cost of autotrophic respiration in boreal forest ecosystems in relation to species and climate. JGR, BOREAS Special Issue, 102 (D24), 28,871-28,883. Ryan, M.G., S.T. Gower, R.M. Hubbard, R.H. Waring, H.L. Gholz, W.P. Cropper and S.W. Running. 1995. Woody tissue maintenance respiration of four conifers in contrasting climates. Oecologia 101: 133-140. Sellers, P. and F. Hall. 1994. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: Experiment Plan. Version 1994-3.0, NASA BOREAS Report (EXPLAN 94). Sellers, P. and F. Hall. 1996. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: Experiment Plan. Version 1996-2.0, NASA BOREAS Report (EXPLAN 96). Sellers, P., F. Hall, and K.F. Huemmrich. 1996. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: 1994 Operations. NASA BOREAS Report (OPSDOC 94). Sellers, P., F. Hall, and K.F. Huemmrich. 1997. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: 1996 Operations. NASA BOREAS Report (OPSDOC 96). Sellers, P., F. Hall, H. Margolis, B. Kelly, D. Baldocchi, G. den Hartog, J. Cihlar, M.G. Ryan, B. Goodison, P. Crill, K.J. Ranson, D. Lettenmaier, and D.E. Wickland. 1995. The boreal ecosystem-atmosphere study (BOREAS): an overview and early results from the 1994 field year. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 76(9):1549-1577. Sellers, P.J., F.G. Hall, R.D. Kelly, A. Black, D. Baldocchi, J. Berry, M. Ryan, K.J. Ranson, P.M. Crill, D.P. Lettenmaier, H. Margolis, J. Cihlar, J. Newcomer, D. Fitzjarrald, P.G. Jarvis, S.T. Gower, D. Halliwell, D. Williams, B. Goodison, D.E. Wickland, and F.E. Guertin. 1997. BOREAS in 1997: Experiment overview, scientific results, and future directions. JGR, BOREAS Special Issue, 102 (D24), 28,731-28,769. Tissue, D.T. and S.J. Wright. 1995. Effect of seasonal water availability on phenology and the annual shoot carbohydrate cycle of tropical forest shrubs. Funct. Ecol. 9: 518-527. 17.3 Archive/DBMS Usage Documentation None. 18. Glossary of Terms None. 19. List of Acronyms ADC - Analytical Development Company ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange BOREAS - BOReal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study BORIS - BOREAS Information System CD-ROM - Compact Disk-Read Only Memory CO2 - Carbon Dioxide DAAC - Distributed Active Archive Center EOS - Earth Observing System EOSDIS - EOS Data and Information System GSFC - Goddard Space Flight Center HTML - Hypertext Markup Language IFC - Intensive Field Campaign IRGA - Infrared Gas Analyzer MIX - Mixed NAD83 - North American Datum of 1983 NIR - Near Infrared Radiation NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NSA - Northern Study Area OA - Old Aspen OBS - Old Black Spruce OJP - Old Jack Pine ORNL - Oak Ridge National Laboratory PANP - Prince Albert National Park PAR - Photosynthetically Active Radiation PPFD - Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density SSA - Southern Study Area TE - Terrestrial Ecology TF - Tower Flux site URL - Uniform Resource Locator UTM - Universal Transverse Mercator YA - Young Aspen YJP - Young Jack Pine 20. Document Information 20.1 Documentation Revision Date Written: 22-Sep-1998 Last Updated: 08-Dec-1998 20.2 Document Review Date(s) BORIS Review: 29-Sep-1998 Science Review: 20.3 Document ID 20.4 Citation Dr. Michael G. Ryan, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, and Dr. Michael Lavigne, Forestry Canada, Maritimes Region 20.5 Document Curator 20.6 Document URL Keywords: Nitrogen Phosphorus Sapwood volume Starch Sugar Stem growth Specific gravity TE02_Stem_Sapwood.doc 01/13/99