Simulating Biomass Production and Water Use of Poplars in a Plantation Using a STELLA-Based Model

Poplar trees (Populus spp.) are some of the fastest growing hardwoods used for biomass production. There are, however, conflicting observations about water use of poplars associated with the impact on local water resources. A STELLA (Structural Thinking and Experiential Learning Laboratory with Animation) model was modified to investigate the aboveground biomass production and water use in a mature (6 to 8 yrs. old) poplar plantation for a 3-year simulation period. The model predicted the typical annual pattern of soil evaporation, root water uptake, and leaf water transpiration in the poplar plantation increasing from winter to summer followed by respective decreases from summer to winter. Root water uptake and leaf water transpiration were proportional to the soil water content. More water was needed to produce the same amount of biomass during summer than during other seasons. Less water was consumed to produce the same amount of biomass as the age of the poplar trees increased. The net increase in biomass over the 3-year period was 0.69 × 104 kg/ha, which was equivalent to a 65% increase in biomass. The average rate of daily water use to daily biomass production was 1.05 × 109 cm3 water/kg biomass/ha. A good linear correlation between cumulative biomass production (CBP) and cumulative water use (CWU) was identified: YCBP = 0.001 ∗ XCWU, R2 = 0.99, p < 0.001. This simple correlation provides a very good reference to estimate poplar water use efficiency (i.e., ratio of water use to biomass production) in growing regions where water resources are a limiting factor.