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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2013, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (7): 69-74.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20130710

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Spatial Distribution of Leaves, Branches and The Vessel Characteristics in Betula platyphylla

Zhao Xiping1, Guo Pingping1, Zhang Quanzhi2   

  1. 1. Forestry College, Henan University of Science and Technology Luoyang 471003;
    2. Maoershan Forest Ecosystem Research Station Harbin 150040
  • Received:2012-09-18 Revised:2012-12-17 Online:2013-07-25 Published:2013-07-23

Abstract:

In this study, leaf area, branch length and angle, vessel diameter, vessel density and the tissue proportion of the first order branch were investigated in upper crown, middle crown and lower crown of 7 Betula platyphylla sample trees from 8 different orientations. The results showed that leaf areas were smallest in the northwest of upper crown and largest in the south of lower crown, and the number of branches was least in the east of lower crown and most in the north of middle crown. The branch lengthes and branch angles were shortest and least in the northwest of upper crown, and the branch length was longest in the southeast and the branch angle was biggest in the north of lower crown. Vessel diameters and the tissue proportion were maximal in the west of middle crown and minimal in the south of upper crown. The vessel density was maximal in the northwest of upper crown and minimal in the south of lower crown. These results indicated that there were spatial differences in the distribution of leaves, branches and their vessel characteristics among the orientations of different crown layers. In addition, the relationships between leaves, branches and their vessel characteristics of the crown and microenvironment were discussed.

Key words: Betula platyphylla, crown, orientation, leaf, branch, vessel

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