Subtropical tree saplings growth phenology based on solid-state Lidar altimetry and its response to environmental factors

doi:10.17521/cjpe.2024.0138

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Tree growth phenology is crucial for understanding forest carbon sequestration under global change. However, up until now, observational challenges have limited research on tree height growth, with most studies focusing on radial growth. Due to the scarcity of studies employing high-frequency monitoring, our understanding of the mechanisms driving tree growth phenology is limited. Additionally, canopy color indices are increasingly being used to study tree growth dynamics.

Methods We used area-array solid-state Lidar to continuously and at high frequency measure height growth dynamics of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Castanopsis carlesii saplings within a mesocosm experiment in subtropical china. We also derived RGB-converted canopy color indices from phenocams and integrated them with environmental factors data from a multi-factor meteorological observation system. The study aimed to explore the phenology of tree saplings height growth and its meteorological drives.

Important findings Our results indicated a synchronous start to the growing season for Castanopsis carlesii and Cunninghamia lanceolata, but a significantly earlier end for Castanopsis carlesii. Moreover, Cunninghamia lanceolata exhibited a significantly longer growing season and higher cumulative annual tree height growth than Castanopsis carlesii. The daily height growth rate of Castanopsis carlesii showed a significantly positive correlation with soil moisture. Conversely, the daily height growth rate of Cunninghamia lanceolatawas significantly negatively correlated with air temperature and soil moisture, but positively correlated with soil temperature and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Notable differences in canopy color indices were identified between the two species: the daily height growth rate of Cunninghamia lanceolata was significantly positively correlated with the Green Excess Index (ExG), Green Chromatic Coordinate (Gcc), and Green Red Vegetation Index (GRVI), whereas Castanopsis carlesii correlated significantly with positively GRVI alone. In summary, this study utilized systematic phenological observation instruments to examine tree saplings height growth phenology and its driving factors. Furthermore, it utilized canopy color indices to retrieve tree height growth, offering key theoretical insights for forest carbon sequestration research.

Key words: tree height growth, phenology, laser radar altimetry, phenocam, canopy color index

WAN Dong-Mei, YANG Zhi-Jie, LIU Xiao-Fei, XIONG De-Cheng, XU Chao, CHEN Shi-Dong, YANG Yu-Sheng. Subtropical tree saplings growth phenology based on solid-state Lidar altimetry and its response to environmental factors[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2025, 49(12): 2080-2091.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.17521/cjpe.2024.0138

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2025/V49/I12/2080

Figures/Tables 8

Fig. 1 High frequency phenological monitoring equipment integration at the Fujian Sanming Forest Ecosystem and National Field Scientific Observatory (Photo captured on October 16, 2024).

Fig. 2 Hight cumulative growth and growth rate of Castanopsis carlesii and Cunninghamia lanceolata. Shaded areas represent standard errors.

Table 1 Height growth phenology of Castanopsis carlesii and Cunninghamia lanceolata (mean ± SE)

树种 Tree species	生长开始时间 Start day of growth (DOY)	生长结束时间 End day of growth (DOY)	生长季长度 Growing season length (d)	年生长量 Annual growth (cm)
米槠 Castanopsis carlesii	83.67 ± 4.04^a	283.00 ± 6.56^b	199.33 ± 10.07^b	87.32 ± 2.45^b
杉木 Cunninghamia lanceolata	83.33 ± 3.06^a	321.33 ± 13.05^a	238.00 ± 15.40^a	98.86 ± 1.83^a

Fig. 3 Variation characteristics of environmental factors at the Fujian Sanming Forest Ecosystem and National Field Scientific Observatory. PAR and VPD are photosynthetically active radiation and vapor pressure deficit, respectively.

Fig. 4 Proportion of cumulative growth on annual growth in specific climatic intervals for Castanopsis carlesii and Cunninghamia lanceolata (mean ± SE). PAR and VPD are photosynthetically active radiation and vapor pressure deficit, respectively.

Fig. 5 Standardized coefficients of the linear mixed-effects models for Castanopsis carlesii and Cunninghamia lanceolata. Significant levels (p < 0.05) were marked in closed circles, and significance levels (p > 0.05) were marked in hollow circles. PAR and VPD are photosynthetically active radiation and vapor pressure deficit, respectively.

Fig. 6 Time series curves of canopy color indices for Castanopsis carlesii and Cunninghamia lanceolata. ExG, Gcc, and GRVI indicate green excess index, green chromatic coordinate, and green red vegetation index, respectively.

Table 2 Correlation test between canopy color index and height increment of Castanopsis carlesii and Cunninghamia lanceolata

米槠 Castanopsis carlesii	单日生长速率 Daily growth rate	绝对绿度指数 ExG	相对绿度指数 Gcc	绿红植被指数 GRVI
单日生长速率 Daily growth rate	1	0.024	0.053	0.348^*
绝对绿度指数 ExG		1	0.991^**	0.737^**
相对绿度指数 Gcc			1	0.800^**
绿红植被指数 GRVI				1
杉木 Cunninghamia lanceolata	单日生长速率 Daily growth rate	绝对绿度指数 ExG	相对绿度指数 Gcc	绿红植被指数 GRVI
单日生长速率 Daily growth rate	1	0.543^**	0.530^**	0.551^**
绝对绿度指数 ExG		1	0.997^**	0.978^**
相对绿度指数 Gcc			1	0.979^**
绿红植被指数 GRVI				1

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