Maximum plant height and the biophysical factors that limit it

Basic engineering theory and empirically determined allometric relationships for the biomass partitioning patterns of extant tree-sized plants show that the mechanical requirements for vertical growth do not impose intrinsic limits on the maximum heights that can be reached by species with woody, se...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tree physiology 2007-03, Vol.27 (3), p.433-440
Main Author: Niklas, K.J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Biomass
Ecosystem
equations
growth models
height
mathematical models
Models, Biological
Plant Development
plant morphology
plant physiology
Plants - metabolism
tree growth
Trees - growth & development
Trees - metabolism
Water - metabolism
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Summary:Basic engineering theory and empirically determined allometric relationships for the biomass partitioning patterns of extant tree-sized plants show that the mechanical requirements for vertical growth do not impose intrinsic limits on the maximum heights that can be reached by species with woody, self-supporting stems. This implies that maximum tree height is constrained by other factors, among which hydraulic constraints are plausible. A review of the available information on scaling relationships observed for large tree-sized plants, nevertheless, indicates that mechanical and hydraulic requirements impose dual restraints on plant height and thus, may play equally (but differentially) important roles during the growth of arborescent, large-sized species. It may be the case that adaptations to mechanical and hydraulic phenomena have optimized growth, survival and reproductive success rather than longevity and mature size.
ISSN:0829-318X
1758-4469
DOI:10.1093/treephys/27.3.433