Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-883
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-883
09 Sep 2022
 | 09 Sep 2022

Potassium-limitation of forest productivity, part 1: A mechanistic model simulating the effects of potassium availability on canopy carbon and water fluxes in tropical eucalypt stands

Ivan Cornut, Nicolas Delpierre, Jean-Paul Laclau, Joannès Guillemot, Yann Nouvellon, Otavio Campoe, Jose Luiz Stape, Vitoria Fernanda Santos, and Guerric le Maire

Abstract. The extent of the potassium (K) limitation of forest productivity is probably more widespread than previously thought, and K-limitation could influence the response of forests to future global changes. To understand the effects of K-limitation on forest primary production, we have developed the first ecophysiological model simulating the K cycle and its interactions with the carbon (C) and water cycles. We focused on the limitation of the gross primary productivity (GPP) by K availability in tropical eucalypt plantations in Brazil. We used results from large-scale fertilisation experiments as well as C flux measurements in two tropical eucalypt plantations to parameterize the model. The model was parameterized for fertilised conditions and then used to test for the effects of contrasting additions of K fertiliser. Simulations showed that K-deficiency limits GPP by more than 50 % during a 6-year rotation, a value in agreement with the literature. The negative effects of K-deficiency on canopy transpiration and water use efficiency were also reported and discussed. Through a sensitivity analysis, we used the model to identify the most critical processes to consider when studying K-limitation of GPP. The external inputs of K to the stands, such as the atmospheric deposition and weathering fluxes, and the regulation of the internal fluxes of K within the ecosystem were critical for the response of the system to K deficiency. Litter decomposition processes were of lower importance. The new forest K-cycle model developed in the present study includes multiple K processes interacting with the carbon and water cycles, and strong feedbacks on GPP through forest growth were outlined.

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

31 Jul 2023
Potassium limitation of forest productivity – Part 1: A mechanistic model simulating the effects of potassium availability on canopy carbon and water fluxes in tropical eucalypt stands
Ivan Cornut, Nicolas Delpierre, Jean-Paul Laclau, Joannès Guillemot, Yann Nouvellon, Otavio Campoe, Jose Luiz Stape, Vitoria Fernanda Santos, and Guerric le Maire
Biogeosciences, 20, 3093–3117, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3093-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3093-2023, 2023
Short summary

Ivan Cornut et al.

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-883', Anonymous Referee #1, 24 Oct 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Ivan Cornut, 28 Dec 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-883', Anonymous Referee #2, 31 Oct 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Ivan Cornut, 28 Dec 2022

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-883', Anonymous Referee #1, 24 Oct 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Ivan Cornut, 28 Dec 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-883', Anonymous Referee #2, 31 Oct 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Ivan Cornut, 28 Dec 2022

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (02 Jan 2023) by Silvia Caldararu
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (03 Jan 2023) by Michael Bahn (Co-editor-in-chief)
AR by Ivan Cornut on behalf of the Authors (21 Feb 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (01 Mar 2023) by Silvia Caldararu
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (20 Mar 2023)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (04 Apr 2023)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (04 Apr 2023) by Silvia Caldararu
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (14 Apr 2023) by Anja Rammig (Co-editor-in-chief)
AR by Ivan Cornut on behalf of the Authors (28 Apr 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (04 May 2023) by Silvia Caldararu
ED: Publish as is (10 May 2023) by Anja Rammig (Co-editor-in-chief)
AR by Ivan Cornut on behalf of the Authors (22 May 2023)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

31 Jul 2023
Potassium limitation of forest productivity – Part 1: A mechanistic model simulating the effects of potassium availability on canopy carbon and water fluxes in tropical eucalypt stands
Ivan Cornut, Nicolas Delpierre, Jean-Paul Laclau, Joannès Guillemot, Yann Nouvellon, Otavio Campoe, Jose Luiz Stape, Vitoria Fernanda Santos, and Guerric le Maire
Biogeosciences, 20, 3093–3117, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3093-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3093-2023, 2023
Short summary

Ivan Cornut et al.

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Latest update: 07 Oct 2023
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Short summary
Potassium is an essential element for living organisms. Trees are dependent upon this element for certain of their functions that allow them to build their trunk using carbon dioxide. Using data from experiments in eucalypt plantations in Brazil and a simplified computer model of the plantations we were able to investigate the effect the lack of potassium can have on the production of wood. Understanding nutrient cycles is useful to understand the response of forests to environmental change.