Abstract

Forest structure is important for species diversity and the distribution of physical force. A general scaling of tree size with fixed parameters is often used, but variation in scaling across scales is unknown. It is necessary to characterize patterns of tree size structure in forests using inventory data to advance canopy science and forest sustainability. This study analyzed a dataset of each tree, including position, tree diameter, height, and canopy diameter, across a 1-ha forest community at multiple scales. The results indicated no correlation between the number of tree species and the accumulated tree-occupying volume (the space occupied by a tree) at different scales. The frequency distribution of tree-occupying volume followed power laws across different scales, but the exponents varied by locations at the same scale. Polynomial functions of degree 2 can also fit the frequency distribution of the tree-occupying volume. Taylor’s power laws held in the tree-occupying volumes at different scales with varying exponents. Across different tree species, the distribution of tree-occupying volume followed power laws within their populations. For the distribution of tree canopy diameter, both power laws in frequency and Taylor’s law were observed across scales with varied exponents. A significant relationship existed between canopy diameters and tree-occupying volumes, with the scaling exponents of about 3.0 only at some sites. Power laws also held between canopy projection areas and tree-occupying volumes, with the exponents around 3/2 in some areas. These results provided insights into variation in tree structure and scaling within a forest community, which could serve as a basis for sustainable forest management.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.