Identifiability analysis and improvement of a tree water flow and storage model

A recently published tree water flow and storage model (RCGro) for simulating water transport dynamics in trees and related stem diameter variations was improved in order to better describe a data set gathered under mild drought stress conditions. Model improvements were carried out based on the results of a mathematical identifiability analysis. This analysis provided important information with respect to the balance between model complexity and data availability. Using the identifiability analysis results, we were able to (1) highlight weaknesses of the model; (2) obtain information on how the model could be reduced in some places, to improve its identifiability properties, and extended in others, to enhance model performance; (3) identify which measurements are necessary to optimally calibrate the model. The resulting improved model was less complex (contained less unidentifiable parameters), had better dynamic properties and was able to better describe the stress data set.