Stand age effects on Boreal forest physiology using a long time-series of satellite data

•Chronosequence of Pinus banksiana stands, ranging in age from 15 to 90 years.•Stand age correlated well to tree structural parameters (e.g. height; R2 = 0.95).•Historic Landsat satellite data from 1989 to 2011 expanded the chronosequence in time.•LAI and leaf chlorophyll variations showed dependency on stand age.•Chlorophyll and LAI leveled at stand age = 44 years and 22 years, respectively.

Many ecosystem variables and processes show a relationship with stand age, including leaf area index (LAI), nutrient and water cycling, biomass production and photosynthesis. However, investigations into stand age dependency have typically focused on stand structure, and are limited by the availability of measurement sites. This study uses a measured chronosequence of 9 sites, ranging in age from 15 to 90 years, supported by a time-series of satellite-derived data to further validate temporal trends in LAI and leaf chlorophyll values. Managed Pinus banksiana stands in Northern Ontario, Canada were sampled for canopy structural parameters (LAI, stand density, crown radius, tree height) and leaf biochemistry (Chlorophyll a + b). Landsat 5 TM (30 m) data was obtained from 1989 to 2011 and chlorophyll- (Revised Transformed Chlorophyll absorption ratio index; RTCARI) and LAI- (Reduced Simple Ratio; RSR) sensitive spectral vegetation indices (VI) were calculated. Stand age showed strong relationships with tree height (R2 = 0.95, p < 0.001), canopy radius (R2 = 0.68; p < 0.01) and with stand density (R2 = 0.49; p < 0.01). The measured LAI and leaf chlorophyll chronosequence showed an excellent correspondence with the VI-derived LAI and chlorophyll over time, modelled from the satellite archive. The temporal dependency of LAI and leaf chlorophyll with stand age was quantified through the fitting of a spherical model (chlorophyll = 44 years; LAI = 22 years), after which further increases in forest age did not increase leaf chlorophyll or LAI. Variation in the temporal lags indicates differences in the maturation period for leaf biochemistry and canopy physical structure, with LAI likely related to a reduction in stand density. The demonstrated stand age-dependency of leaf chlorophyll content is crucial for understanding stand age effects on photosynthetic processes and carbon assimilation, both for quantifying net primary production (NPP) within carbon budgets and for guiding forest management and harvesting strategies in light of a changing climate.