The doctoral dissertations of the former Helsinki University of Technology (TKK) and Aalto University Schools of Technology (CHEM, ELEC, ENG, SCI) published in electronic format are available in the electronic publications archive of Aalto University - Aaltodoc.
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The LIGNUM Functional-Structural Tree Model

Jari Perttunen

Dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to be presented with due permission of the Faculty of Information and Natural Sciences for public examination and debate in Auditorium E at Helsinki University of Technology (Espoo, Finland) on the 13th of February, 2009, at 12 noon.

Overview in PDF format (ISBN 978-951-22-9710-8)   [5902 KB]
Dissertation is also available in print (ISBN 978-951-22-9709-2)

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to construct a single tree model that builds a bridge between traditional process based tree models and detailed, three-dimensional architectural tree models. The result of the thesis, the functional-structural tree model LIGNUM, integrates both the functional and the structural aspects of woody arborescent plants in a single generic modelling framework.

The thesis consists of five articles and the summary part. The first article presents the model structure of LIGNUM based on simple recurring botanical units, their metabolic processes and the allocation of photosynthates on the basis of the carbon balance resolved according to the specific growth potential in different parts of the tree crown. The model is applied to young Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The second article studies alternative formulations of sapwood senescence in Scots pine. The third article presents an improvement in assessing solar radiation absorption on the basis of the mutual shading of tree segments. The fourth article adapts the LIGNUM model to deciduous species with sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh) as an example. The fifth article introduces Lindenmayer systems for defining the architectural development of the tree crown.

The central problem in process-based tree models has been resource capture and allocation in a dynamically growing tree. The main contribution of this thesis is to present a solution to how photosynthates can be allocated among possibly thousands of botanical units in a tree. The LIGNUM model can simulate the three-dimensional architectural development of a tree crown, keep track of each elementary functional unit, define their local capacity to produce and use resources, and determine the interactions with each other and the external environment.

This thesis consists of an overview and of the following 5 publications:

  1. J. Perttunen, R. Sievänen, E. Nikinmaa, H. Salminen, H. Saarenmaa, and J. Väkevä. 1996. LIGNUM: a tree model based on simple structural units. Annals of Botany, volume 77, number 1, pages 87-98. © 1996 Annals of Botany Company. By permission.
  2. Risto Sievänen, Eero Nikinmaa, and Jari Perttunen. 1997. Evaluation of importance of sapwood senescence on tree growth using the model LIGNUM. Silva Fennica, volume 31, number 3, pages 329-340. © 1997 Finnish Society of Forest Science and © 1997 Finnish Forest Research Institute. By permission.
  3. J. Perttunen, R. Sievänen, and E. Nikinmaa. 1998. LIGNUM: a model combining the structure and the functioning of trees. Ecological Modelling, volume 108, numbers 1-3, pages 189-198. © 1998 Elsevier Science. By permission.
  4. Jari Perttunen, Eero Nikinmaa, Martin J. Lechowicz, Risto Sievänen, and Christian Messier. 2001. Application of the functional-structural tree model LIGNUM to sugar maple saplings (Acer saccharum Marsh) growing in forest gaps. Annals of Botany, volume 88, number 3, pages 471-481. © 2001 Annals of Botany Company. By permission.
  5. Jari Perttunen and Risto Sievänen. 2005. Incorporating Lindenmayer systems for architectural development in a functional-structural tree model. Ecological Modelling, volume 181, number 4, pages 479-491. © 2005 Elsevier Science. By permission.

Keywords: functional-structural model, tree physiology, tree architecture, Lindenmayer systems, growth allocation

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© 2009 Helsinki University of Technology

Last update 2011-05-26