Determination of Variability in Leaf Biomass Densities of Conifers and MixedConifers under Different Environmental Conditions in the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin

摘要

Biomass sampling plots were established at 29 locations within the dominantvegetation zones of the study area. Estimates of foliar biomass were made for each plot by three independent methods: regression analysis on the basis of tree diameter, calculation of the amount of light intercepted by the leaf canopy, and extrapolation from branch leaf area. Multivariate regression analysis was used to relate these foliar biomass estimates for oak plots and conifer plots to several independent predictor variables, including elevation, slope, aspect, temperature, precipitation, and soil chemical characteristics.