Description
Short rotation woody crops (SRWC) such as hybrid poplar have great potential as a biofuel feedstock. Biomass yields and yield stability at potential sites are important considerations when such SRWC is widely planted. To simulate poplar growth accurately, the functional components and parameters of hybrid poplar Tristis #1 (Populus balsamifera L. × P.tristis Fisch) were determined, and related algorithms improved in ALMANAC and SWAT based on improved simulation of leaf area and plant biomass as well as biomass partitioning. The improved tree growth simulation was applied to hybrid poplar plots in Wisconsin, and the modeled biomass yield, and LAI were compared with measured data to modify and evaluate the location specific ALMANAC models. Based on model validation results, improved algorithms of LAI and biomass simulation and suggested values and potential parameter range for hybrid poplar Tristis #1 were reasonable, and performance of the modified ALMANAC and SWAT in simulating LAI, aboveground biomass of poplar was good. Thus, the modified ALMANAC can be used for biofeedstock production modeling for Populus. The improved algorithms of LAI and biomass simulation for tree growth should also be useful for other process based models, such as EPIC and APEX.
Start Date
11-2014
Document Type
Presentation
Keywords
bioenergy crop, biofeedstock, hybrid poplar, LAI, biomass yield modeling
Session List
Lightning Talk
Included in
Functional Approach to Simulating Short Rotation Woody Crops in Process Based Models
Short rotation woody crops (SRWC) such as hybrid poplar have great potential as a biofuel feedstock. Biomass yields and yield stability at potential sites are important considerations when such SRWC is widely planted. To simulate poplar growth accurately, the functional components and parameters of hybrid poplar Tristis #1 (Populus balsamifera L. × P.tristis Fisch) were determined, and related algorithms improved in ALMANAC and SWAT based on improved simulation of leaf area and plant biomass as well as biomass partitioning. The improved tree growth simulation was applied to hybrid poplar plots in Wisconsin, and the modeled biomass yield, and LAI were compared with measured data to modify and evaluate the location specific ALMANAC models. Based on model validation results, improved algorithms of LAI and biomass simulation and suggested values and potential parameter range for hybrid poplar Tristis #1 were reasonable, and performance of the modified ALMANAC and SWAT in simulating LAI, aboveground biomass of poplar was good. Thus, the modified ALMANAC can be used for biofeedstock production modeling for Populus. The improved algorithms of LAI and biomass simulation for tree growth should also be useful for other process based models, such as EPIC and APEX.