Mestrado em Engenharia Florestal e dos Recursos Naturais - Instituto Superior de AgronomiaAn underestimation of accumulated leaf biomass obtained with the 3-PG model when applied to a fertilization and irrigation trial of Eucalyptus globulus, conduced to install three plots in seminal high forest of Eucalyptus globulus with different ages and different site indexes to support the tendency observed in the fertilization and irrigation trial.
Plots 1 and 2 were installed in a 4,5 years old eucalyptus stand, while plot 3 was installed in a 8,5 years old stand. Acummulated litterfall (dried) biomass during the period 15 March – 26 October 2011, was 1,12 Mg ha-1, 1,86 Mg ha-1 e 2,82 Mg ha-1 respectively. A higher site index distinguished results of the same age stands, while the plot at the older stand achieved superior biomass. Although the reduced number of litterfall collects, estimates obtained by 3-PG when applied to the three plots confirm the underestimation of litterfall.
It’s necessary to complete this study for at least one year and possibly install more plots in different combinations of age and site index to confirm the need of improvement of the litterfall module of 3-PG model in Portugal
