Biomass allocation and carbon density of Sophora moorcroftiana shrublands in the middle reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River,Xizang, China

Aims The expansion of shrublands is considered as one of the key reasons leading to the increase of carbon density in terrestrial ecosystems in China. In the present study, our aims were to explore the biomass allocation and carbon density of Sophora moorcroftiana shrublands in Xizang.
Methods We sampled the biomass of S. moorcroftiana shrubs from 18 sites in the middle reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River, Xizang. Using concentrations of different organs, we estimated the carbon density of different layers in S. moorcroftiana shrublands.
Important findings The plant cover rather than biomass volume (the product of cover and height) provided the best fit for aboveground biomass. The average of the total biomass was 5.71 Mg·hm^-2, ranging from 2.32 to 8.96 Mg·hm^-2. The average biomass of shrub layer, the main component of shrub ecosystem, was 4.08 Mg·hm^-2, accounting for 71% of the total biomass. The belowground biomass of shrub and herb layers was 2.08 and 0.86 Mg·hm^-2, respectively, which was higher than the corresponding aboveground biomass. The average biomass carbon density was 2.48 Mg·hm^-2. Shrub vegetation in the eastern part of the middle reaches has lower carbon density than that in the western part. The relatively high biomass allocation to roots to increase water and nutrient undertake as well as physical support for plants is an important strategy of S. moorcroftiana to cope with the arid environment on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Moreover, the lower carbon density in the eastern part of the middle reaches might be due to the dry environment resulted from high temperature and evapotranspiration and enhanced human activities at low altitudes. The continuous decrease of evapotranspiration under scenarios of future climate change may lead to increase in carbon density in S. moorcroftiana shrublands.     

Distribution of biomass in relation to environments in shrublands of temperate China

Aims Shrubland is one of the most widely distributed vegetation types in northern China. Previous studies on pattern and dynamics of plant biomass have been focused on forest and grassland ecosystems, while relevant knowledge on shrubland ecosystems is lacking. It is important to include shrublands in northern China to improve the accuracy in estimating the terrestrial ecosystem biomass in China.
Methods Based on investigations and samplings from 433 shrubland sites, we explored the distribution and allocation patterns of biomass in relation to climatic and soil nutrient factors of shrublands of temperate China.
Important findings The average shrubland biomass density in northern China is 12.5 t·hm^-2. It decreases significantly from temperate deciduous shrubland in northeast to desert shrubland in northwest. The average biomass density of temperate deciduous shrubland, alpine shrubland, and desert shrubland is 14.4, 28.8, and 5.0 t·hm^-2, respectively. Within temperate deciduous shrublands, plant biomass is lower in North China than in Northeast China. The average aboveground and belowground biomass density of shrub layer is 4.5 and 5.4 t·hm^-2, respectively; while that of grass layer is 0.8 and 1.8 t·hm^-2, respectively. Environmental factors affect biomass allocation across different plant organs. The belowground-aboveground biomass ratio of shrub exhibits no significant changes with environmental variables. The leaf-stem ratio increases with annual precipitation, and leaf biomass is low in arid region.     

Carbon storage,spatial distribution and the influence factors in Tianshan forests

Aims
Accurate estimation of carbon density and storage is among the key challenges in evaluating ecosystem carbon sink potentials for reducing atmospheric CO₂ concentration. It is also important for developing future conservation strategies and sustainable practices. Our objectives were to estimate the ecosystem carbon density and storage of Picea schrenkiana forests in Tianshan region of Xinjiang, and to analyze the spatial distribution and influencing factors.
Methods
Based on field measurements, the forest resource inventories, and laboratory analyses, we studied the carbon storage, its spatial distribution, and the potential influencing factors in Picea schrenkiana forest of Tianshan. Field surveys of 70 sites, with 800 m² (28.3 m × 28.3 m) for plot size, was conducted in 2011 for quantifying arbor biomass (leaf, branch, trunk and root), grass and litterfall biomass, soil bulk density, and other laboratory analyses of vegetation carbon content, soil organic carbon content, etc.
Important findings
The carbon content of the leaf, branch, trunk and root of Picea schrenkiana is varied from 46.56% to 52.22%. The vegetation carbon content of arbor and the herbatious/litterfall layer was 49% and 42%, respectively. The forest biomass of Picea schrenkiana was 187.98 Mg·hm^-2, with 98.93% found in the arbor layer. The biomass in all layers was in the order of trunk (109.81 Mg·hm^-2) > root (39.79 Mg·hm^-2) > branch (23.62 Mg·hm^-2) > leaf (12.76 Mg·hm^-2). From the age-group point of view, the highest and the lowest biomass was found at the mature forest (228.74 Mg·hm^-2) and young forest (146.77 Mg·hm^-2), respectively. The carbon density and storage were 544.57 Mg·hm^-2 and 290.84 Tg C, with vegetation portion of 92.57 Mg·hm^-2 and 53.14 Tg C, and soil portion of 452.00 Mg·hm^-2 and 237.70 Tg C, respectively. The spatial distribution of carbon density and storage appeared higher in the western areas than those in the eastern regions. In the western Tianshan Mountains (e.g., Ili district), carbon density was the highest, whereas the central Tianshan Mountains (e.g., Manas County, Fukang City, Qitai County) also had high carbon density. In the eastern Tianshan Mountains (e.g., Hami City), it was low. This distribution seemed consistent with the changes in environmental conditions. The primary causes of carbon density difference might be a combined effects of multiple environmental factors such as terrain, precipitation, temperature, and soil.     

天山森林生态系统碳储量格局及其影响因素

科学地估算亚洲中部天山雪岭杉(Picea schrenkiana)生态系统碳密度与碳储量是评价新疆森林碳汇潜力、评估森林在减缓大气CO₂浓度上升、应对气候变化等方面功能的关键, 对干旱区森林生态系统的保育和可持续发展具有重要意义。该文基于在天山雪岭杉林区布设的70个野外样地调查数据, 结合新疆森林资源连续清查数据, 全面估算了天山雪岭杉生态系统的碳密度和碳储量, 分析了其分布格局与影响因素。结果表明: 天山雪岭杉不同龄组叶、枝、干和根的含碳率变化不显著, 其乔木层平均含碳率为49%, 而林下植被(凋落物、草本等)平均含碳率仅为42%。雪岭杉森林生态系统单位面积生物量为187.98 Mg·hm^-2, 其中乔木层生物量占生态系统总生物量的98.93%。乔木层各组分生物量大小为: 干>根>枝>叶, 而各龄组生物量排序为: 成熟林>中龄林>近熟林>过熟林>幼龄林。雪岭杉生态系统碳密度为544.57 Mg·hm^-2, 碳储量为290.84 Tg C, 其中植被碳密度为92.57 Mg·hm^-2, 植被碳储量为53.14 Tg C, 土壤碳密度为452.00 Mg·hm^-2, 土壤碳储量为237.70 Tg C。天山雪岭杉生态系统碳密度分异与不同林区林带垂直宽度变化具有很高的相关性, 其生态系统碳密度西高东低的分布格局和它所处的环境因子西优东劣的变异是相一致的, 即不同的环境因素组合是造成天山雪岭杉生态系统碳密度差异的主要原因。     

Carbon density and its spatial distribution in the Potentilla fruticosa dominated alpine shrub in Qinghai,China

Aims Shrub recovery is recognized as an important cause of the increase of carbon stocks in China, and yet there are great uncertainties in the carbon sink capacities of shrubs. Our objectives were to estimate carbon density and its spatial distribution in alpine shrubs.
Methods Eight sites in Potentilla fruticosa dominated shrublands across Qinghai, China were investigated. Plant biomass and carbon content in leaves, branches and stems, and roots were measured to analyze the biomass allocation and carbon density.
Important findings Mean carbon densities in biological carbon, litter, soil and whole ecosystem of P. fruticosa shrublands were 5088.54, 542.1, 35903.76 and 41534.4 kg·hm^-2, respectively. Carbon density in the shrub layer was more than 68% of the biological carbon density of the whole ecosystem and was mainly distributed in roots (49.5%-56.1%). Carbon density of the herbaceous layer was 22.5% of the biological carbon density of the whole ecosystem and was also mainly distributed in roots (59.6%-75.1%). The biological carbon density of P. fruticosa shrublands (5.08 t·hm^-2) was lower than the average carbon density of shrub communities in China (10. 88 t·hm^-2). Soil carbon density contributed the largest proportion (85.8%) of total carbon density in P. fruticosa shrublands.     

Storage of carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus in temperate shrubland ecosystems across Northern China

Aims Studying storage of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in ecosystems is of significance in understanding carbon and nutrient cycling. Previous researches in ecosystem C, N and P storage have biased towards forests and grasslands. Shrubland ecosystems encompass a wide gradient in precipitation and soil conditions, providing a unique opportunity to explore the patterns of ecosystem C, N and P storage in relation to climate and soil properties.
Methods We estimated densities and storage of organic C, N and P of shrubland ecosystems in Northern China based on data from 433 shrubland sites.
Important findings The main results are summarized as follows: the average organic C, N and P densities in temperate shrubland ecosystems across Northern China were 69.8 Mg·hm^-2, 7.3 Mg·hm^-2 and 4.2 Mg·hm^-2, respectively. The average plant C, N and P densities were 5.1 Mg·hm^-2, 11.5 × 10^-2 Mg·hm^-2 and 8.6 × 10^-3 Mg·hm^-2, respectively, and were significantly correlated with precipitation and soil nutrient concentrations. The average litter C, N and P densities were 1.4 Mg·hm^-2, 3.8 ×10^-2 Mg·hm^-2, 2.5 ×10^-3 Mg·hm^-2 and were significantly correlated with temperature and precipitation. The average soil organic C, N and P densities in the top 1 m were 64.0 Mg·hm^-2, 7.1 Mg·hm^-2 and 4.2 Mg·hm^-2, respectively and the former two were significantly correlated with temperature and precipitation. The total organic C, N and P storage of shrublands in Northern China were 1.7 Pg, 164.9 Tg and 124.8 Tg, respectively. The plant C, N and P storage were 128.4 Tg, 3.1 Tg and 0.2 Tg, respectively. The litter C, N and P storage were 8.4 Tg, 0.45 Tg, 0.027 Tg, respectively. Soil is the largest C, N and P pool in the studied area. The soil organic C, N and P storage in the top 1 meter were 1.6 Pg, 161.3 Tg and 124.6 Tg, respectively.     

Carbon storage and potentials of the broad-leaved forest in alpine region of the Qinghai- Xizang Plateau,China

Aims
Our objective was to explore the vegetation carbon storages and their variations in the broad-leaved forests in the alpine region of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau that includes Qinghai Province and Xizang Autonomous Region.
Methods
Based on forest resource inventory data and field sampling, this paper studied the carbon storage, its sequestration rate, and the potentials in the broad-leaved forests in the alpine region of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.
Important findings
The vegetation carbon storage in the broad-leaved forest accounted for 310.70 Tg in 2011, with the highest value in the broad-leaved mixed forest and the lowest in Populus forest among the six broad-leaved forests that include Quercus, Betula, Populus, other hard broad-leaved species, other soft broad-leaved species, and the broadleaved mixed forest. The carbon density of the broad-leaved forest was 89.04 Mg·hm^-2, with the highest value in other hard broad-leaved species forest and the lowest in other soft broad-leaved species forest. The carbon storage and carbon density in different layers of the forests followed a sequence of overstory layer > understory layer > litter layer > grass layer > dead wood layer, which all increased with forest age. In addition, the carbon storage of broad-leaved forest increased from 304.26 Tg in 2001 to 310.70 Tg in 2011. The mean annual carbon sequestration and its rate were 0.64 Tg·a^-1 and 0.19 Mg·hm^-2·a^-1, respectively. The maximum and minimum of the carbon sequestration rate were respectively found in other soft broad-leaved species forest and other hard broad-leaved species forest, with the highest value in the mature forest and the lowest in the young forest. Moreover, the carbon sequestration potential in the tree layer of broad-leaved forest reached 19.09 Mg·hm^-2 in 2011, with the highest value found in Quercus forest and the lowest in Betula forest. The carbon storage increased gradually during three inventory periods, indicating that the broad-leaved forest was well protected to maintain a healthy growth by the forest protection project of Qinghai Province and Xizang Autonomous Region.     

Biomass estimation models and allocation patterns of 14 shrub species in Mountain Luya,Shanxi, China

Aims Shrub species have evolved specific strategies to regulate biomass allocation among various organs or between above- and belowground biomass and shrub biomass model is an important approach to estimate biomass allocation among different shrub species. This study was designed to establish the optimal estimation models for each organ (leaf, stem, and root), aboveground and total biomass of 14 common shrub species in Mountain Luya, Shanxi Province, China. Furthermore, we explored biomass allocation characteristics of these shrub species by using the index of leaf biomass fraction (leaf to total biomass), stem biomass fraction (stem to total biomass), root biomass fraction (root to total biomass), and root to shoot mass ratio (R/S) (belowground to aboveground biomass).
Methods We used plant height, basal diameter, canopy diameter and their combination as variables to establish the optimal biomass estimation models for each shrub species. In addition, we used the ratios of leaf, stem, root to total biomass, and belowground to aboveground biomass to explore the difference of biomass allocation patterns of 14 shrub species.
Important findings Most of biomass estimation models could be well expressed by the exponential and linear functions. Biomass for shorter shrub species with more stems could be better estimated by canopy area; biomass for taller shrub species with less stems could be better estimated by the sum of the square of total base diameter multiply stem height; and biomass for the rest shrub species could be better estimated by canopy volume. The averaged value for these shrub species was 0.61, 0.17, 0.48, and 0.35 for R/S, leaf biomass fraction, stem biomass fraction, and root biomass fraction, respectively. Except for leaf biomass fraction, R/S, stem biomass fraction, and root biomass fraction for shrubs with thorn was significantly greater than that for shrubs without thorn.     

基于可加性生物量模型的大兴安岭东部主要林型森林植被碳储量及其分配

基于大兴安岭东部地区主要林型的生物量调查数据,建立了3个主要树种的一元可加性生物量模型,探讨了不同林型森林群落和乔木层、灌木层、草本层、凋落物层的碳储量及其分配规律.结果表明: 杜鹃-兴安落叶松林乔、灌、草、凋落物层碳储量分别为71.00、0.34、0.05和11.97 t·hm^-2,杜香-兴安落叶松林各层碳储量分别为47.82、0.88、0和5.04 t·hm^-2,杜鹃-兴安落叶松-白桦混交林分别为56.56、0.44、0.04、8.72 t·hm^-2,杜香-兴安落叶松-白桦混交林分别为46.21、0.66、0.07、6.16 t·hm^-2,杜鹃-白桦林分别为40.90、1.37、0.04、3.67 t·hm^-2,杜香-白桦林分别为36.28、1.12、0.18、4.35 t·hm^-2.林下植被为杜鹃的林分群落碳储量大于林下植被为杜香的林分;林下植被相似的情况下,森林群落碳储量大小顺序为:兴安落叶松林>兴安落叶松-白桦混交林>白桦林;不同林型群落碳储量不同,大小顺序为:杜鹃-兴安落叶松林(83.36 t·hm^-2)>杜鹃-兴安落叶松-白桦混交林(65.76 t·hm^-2)>杜香-兴安落叶松林(53.74 t·hm^-2)>杜香-兴安落叶松-白桦混交林(53.10 t·hm^-2)>杜鹃-白桦林(45.98 t·hm^-2)>杜香-白桦林(41.93 t·hm^-2),且不同林型森林群落碳储量垂直分配规律为:乔木层(85.2%～89.0%)>凋落物层(8.0%～14.4%)>灌木层(0.4%～2.7%)>草本层(0～0.4%).     

Carbon storage of the forests and its spatial pattern in Nei Mongol,China

Aims
Forest carbon storage in Nei Mongol plays a significant role in national terrestrial carbon budget due to its large area in China. Our objectives were to estimate the carbon storage in the forest ecosystems in Nei Mongol and to quantify its spatial pattern.
Methods
Field survey and sampling were conducted at 137 sites that distributed evenly across the forest types in the study region. At each site, the ecosystem carbon density was estimated thorough sampling and measuring different pools of soil (0-100 cm) and vegetation, including biomass of tree, grass, shrub, and litter. Regional carbon storage was calculated with the estimated carbon density for each forest type.
Important findings
Carbon storage of vegetation layer in forests in Nei Mongol was 787.8 Tg C, with the biomass of tree, litter, herbaceous and shrub accounting for 93.5%, 3.0%, 2.7% and 0.8%, respectively. Carbon density of vegetation layer was 40.4 t·hm^-2, with 35.6 t·hm^-2 in trees, 2.9 t·hm^-2 in litter, 1.2 t·hm^-2 in herbaceous and 0.6 t·hm^-2 in shrubs. In comparison, carbon storage of soil layer in forests in Nei Mongol was 2449.6 Tg C, with 79.8% distributed in the first 30 cm. Carbon density of soil layer was 144.4 t·hm^-2. Carbon storage of forest ecosystem in Nei Mongol was 3237.4 Tg C, with vegetation and soil accounting for 24.3% and 75.7%, respectively. Carbon density of forest ecosystems in Nei Mongol was 184.5 t·hm^-2. Carbon density of soil layer was positively correlated with that of vegetation layer. Spatially, both carbon storage and carbon density were higher in the eastern area, where the climate is more humid. Forest reserves and artificial afforestations can significantly improve the capacity of regional carbon sink.     

Responses of growth and litterfall production to nitrogen addition treatments from common shrublands in Mt. Dongling,Beijing, China

Aims The shrublands of northern China have poor soil and nitrogen (N) deposition has greatly increased the local soil available N for decades. Shrub growth is one of important components of C sequestration in shrublands and litterfall acts as a vital link between plants and soil. Both are key factors in nutrient and energy cycling of terrestrial ecosystems, which greatly affected by nitrogen (N) addition (adding N fertilizer to the surface soil directly). However, the effects and significance of N addition on C sequestration and litterfall in shrublands remain unclear. Thus, a study was designed to investigate how N deposition and related treatments affected shrublands growth related to C sequestration and litterfall production of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla and Spiraea salicifolia in Mt. Dongling region of China.
Methods A N enrichment experiment has been conducted for V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands in Mt. Dongling, Beijing, including four N addition treatment levels (control (N₀, 0 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1), low N (N₁, 20 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1), medium N (N₂, 50 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1) and high N (N₃, 100 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1)). Basal diameter and plant height of shrub were measured from 2012-2013 within all treatments, and allometric models for different species of shrub’s live branch, leaf and root biomass were developed based on independent variables of basal diameter and plant height, which will be used to calculate biomass increment of shrub layer. Litterfall (litterfall sometimes is named litter, referring to the collective name for all organic matter produced by the aboveground part of plants and returned to the surface, and mainly includes leaves, bark, dead twigs, flowers and fruits.) also was investigated from 2012-2013 within all treatments.
Important findings The results showed 1) mean basal diameter of shrubs in the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands were increased by 1.69%, 2.78%, 2.51%, 1.80% and 1.38%, 1.37%, 1.59%, 2.05% every year; 2) The height growth rate (the shrub height relative growth rate is defined with the percentage increase of plant height) of shrubs in the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands were 8.36%, 8.48%, 9.49%, 9.83% and 2.12%, 2.86%, 2.36%, 2.52% every year, respectively. Thee results indicated that N deposition stimulated growth of shrub layer both in V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands, but did not reach statistical significance among all nitrogen treatments. The above-ground biomass increment of shrub layer in the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands were 0.19, 0.23, 0.14, 0.15 and 0.027, 0.025, 0.032, 0.041 t C·hm^-2·a^-1 respectively, which demonstrated that short-term N addition had no significant effects on the accumulation of C storage of the two shrublands. The litter production of the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia communities in 2013 were 135.7 and 129.6 g·m^-2 under natural conditions, respectively. Nitrogen addition promoted annual production of total litterfall and different components of litterfall to a certain extent, but did not reach statistical significance among all nitrogen treatments. Above results indicated that short-term fertilization, together with extremely low soil moisture content and other related factors, lead to inefficient use of soil available nitrogen and slow response of shrublands to N addition treatments.     

Present status and rate of carbon sequestration of forest vegetation in Jilin Province,Northeast China

Aims
Forests represent the most important component of the terrestrial biological carbon pool and play an important role in the global carbon cycle. The regional scale estimation of carbon budgets of forest ecosystems, however, have high uncertainties because of the different data sources, estimation methods and so on. Our objective was to accurately estimate the carbon storage, density and sequestration rate in forest vegetation in Jilin Province of China, in order to understand the role of the carbon sink and to better manage forest ecosystems.
Methods
Vegetation survey data were used to determine forest distribution, size of area and vegetation types regionally. In our study, 561 plots were investigated to build volume-biomass models; 288 plots of shrubs and herbs were harvested to calculate the biomass of understory vegetation, and samples of trees, shrubs and herbs were collected to analyze carbon content. Carbon storage, density and sequestration rate were estimated by two forest inventory data (2009 and 2014), combined with volume-biomass models, the average biomass of understory vegetation and carbon content of vegetation. Finally, the distribution patterns of carbon pools were presented using ArcGIS soft ware.
Important findings
Understory vegetation biomass overall was less than 3% of the tree layer biomass, varying greatly among different forest types and even among the similar types. The carbon content of trees was between 45.80%-52.97%, and that of the coniferous forests was higher than that of the broadleaf forests. The carbon content of shrub and herb layers was about 39.79%-47.25% and 40%, respectively. Therefore, the vegetation carbon conversion coefficient was 0.47 or 0.48 in Jilin Province, and the conventional use of 0.50 or 0.45 would cause deviation of ±5.26%. The vegetation carbon pool of Jilin Province was at the upper range of regional carbon pool and had higher capacity of carbon sequestration. The value in 2009 and 2014 was 471.29 Tg C and 505.76 Tg C, respectively, and the total increase was 34.47 Tg C with average annual growth of 6.89 Tg C·a^-1. The corresponding carbon sequestration rate was 0.92 t·hm^-2·a^-1. The carbon density rose from 64.58 t·hm^-2 in 2009 to 66.68 t·hm^-2 in 2014, with an average increase of 2.10 t·hm^-2. In addition, the carbon storage of the Quercus mongolica forests and broadleaved mixed forests, accounted for 90.34% of that of all forests. The carbon increment followed the order of young > over-mature > near mature > middle-aged > mature forests. The carbon sequestration rate of followed the order of over-mature > young > near mature > middle-aged > mature forests. Both the carbon increment and the carbon sequestration rate of mature forests were negative. Furthermore, spatially the carbon storage and density were higher in the east than in the west of Jilin province, while the carbon increment was higher in northeast and middle east than in the west. The carbon sequestration rate was higher in Tonghua and Baishan in the south, followed by Jinlin in the middle and Yanbian in the east, while Baicheng and Songyuan, etc. in west showed negative values.     

Effects of nitrogen addition on soil respiration in shrublands in Mt. Dongling,Beijing, China

Aims Soil respiration from terrestrial ecosystems is an important component of terrestrial carbon budgets. Compared to forests, natural or semi-natural shrublands are mostly distributed in nutrient-poor sites, and usually considered to be relatively vulnerable to environmental changes. Increased nitrogen (N) input to ecosystems may remarkably influence soil respiration in shrublands. So far the effects of N deposition on shrubland soil respiration are poorly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the soil respiration of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla and Spiraea salicifolia shrublands and their response to N deposition. Methods We carried out a N enrichment experiment in V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands in Mt. Dongling, Beijing, with four N addition levels (N₀, control, 0; N₁, low N, 20 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1; N₂, medium N, 50 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1 and N₃, high N, 100 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1). Respiration was measured from 2012-2013 within all treatments.Important findings Under natural conditions, annual total and heterotrophic respiration were 5.91 and 4.23, 5.76 and 3.53 t C·hm^-2·a^-1 for the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands, respectively and both were not affected by short-term N addition. In both shrubland types, soil respiration rate exhibited significant exponential relationships with soil temperature. Temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) of total soil respiration in V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands ranged from 1.44 to 1.58 and 1.43 to 1.98, and Q₁₀ of heterotrophic soil respiration ranged from 1.38 to 2.11 and 1.49 to 1.88, respectively. Short-term N addition decreased only autotrophic respiration rate during the growing season, but had no significant effects on total and heterotrophic soil respiration in V. negundo var. heterophylla shrubland. In contrast, N addition enhanced the heterotrophic soil respiration rate and did not influence autotrophic and total soil respiration in S. salicifolia shrubland.     

Effects of nitrogen addition on soil respiration of Rhododendron simsii shrubland in the subtropical mountainous areas of China

Aims As the second largest C flux between the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems, soil respiration plays a vital role in regulating atmosphere CO₂ concentration. Therefore, understanding the response of soil respiration to the increasing nitrogen deposition is urgently needed for prediction of future climate change. However, it is still unclear how nitrogen deposition influences soil respiration of shrubland in subtropical China. Our objectives were to explore the effects of different levels of nitrogen fertilization on soil respiration, root biomass increment, and litter biomass, and to analyze the relationships between soil respiration and soil temperature and moisture.
Methods From January 2013 to September 2014, we conducted a short-term simulated nitrogen deposition experiment in the Rhododendron simsii shrubland of Dawei Mountain, located in Hunan Province, southern China. Four levels of nitrogen addition treatments (each level with three replicates) were established: control (CK, no nitrogen addition), low nitrogen addition (LN, 2 g·m^-2·a^-1), medium nitrogen addition (MN, 5 g·m^-2·a^-1) and high nitrogen addition (HN, 10 g·m^-2·a^-1). Soil respiration was measured by LI-8100 soil CO₂ efflux system. At the same time, we measured root biomass increment and litter biomass in each plot.
Important findings Soil respiration exhibited a strong seasonal pattern, with the highest rates found in summer and the lowest rates in winter. Annual accumulative soil respiration rate in the CK, LN, MN and HN was (2.37 ± 0.39), (2.79 ± 0.42), (2.26 ± 0.38) and (2.30 ± 0.36) kg CO₂·m^-2, respectively. Annual mean soil respiration rate in the CK, LN, MN and HN was (1.71 ± 0.28), (2.01 ± 0.30), (1.63 ± 0.27) and (1.66 ± 0.26) μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1, respectively, and it was 17.25% higher in the LN treatment compared with CK (p = 0.06). The root biomass increment was increased by LN, MN, and HN treatments by 18.36%, 36.49% and 61.63%, respectively, compared to CK. The litter biomass was increased by LN, MN, and HN treatments by 35.87%, 22.17% and 15.35%, respectively, compared with CK. Soil respiration exhibited a significant exponential relationship with soil temperature (p < 0.01, R² is 0.77 to 0.82) and a significant linear relationship with soil moisture at the depth of 5 cm (p < 0.05, R² is 0.10 to 0.15). The temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) value of CK, LN, MN and HN plots was 3.96, 3.60, 3.71 and 3.51, respectively. These results suggested that nitrogen addition promoted plant growth and decreased the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration. The increase of root biomass under N addition may be an important reason for the change of soil respiration in the study area.     

林分密度对马尾松林下植物与土壤种子库多样性的影响

林分密度是影响林下植物多样性的重要因子。本研究以马尾松人工林为对象,设置低密度(1575株·hm^-2,D₁)、中密度(2474株·hm^-2,D₂)和高密度(3550株·hm^-2,D₃)3个林分密度,分析林下植物和土壤种子库多样性及二者的关系,为马尾松人工林实现多目标可持续发展提供科学依据。结果表明: 3种林分密度林下草本与灌木植物共有42科62属70种,D₁密度以喜光植物种类分布较多,而D₂、D₃密度以耐阴植物为主;3种林分密度间的草本、灌木的Margalef (M)、Shannon (H)、Simpson (D)、Pielou (J_sw)、Alatalo (Al)指数均随林分密度增加而呈下降趋势,且在草本与灌木层中对密度的响应不同。在草本层中,D₁与D₃的H、D、J_sw、Al指数均存在显著差异;在灌木层中,不同林分密度J_sw和Al指数存在显著差异,H和D指数差异不显著。土壤种子库H、D、J_sw和Al指数均随林分密度增加呈先下降后升高趋势,D₁密度的物种丰富度及多样性最高;不同林分密度下土壤种子库Jaccard与Sorensen相似性系数均较低。草本层M与J_sw指数呈显著正相关;灌木层林分密度与H、D、J_sw、Al指数的相关性大于草本层,而草本、灌木层的林分密度与J_sw指数均呈显著负相关。林分密度1575株·hm^-2是马尾松林下植被生长发育较为合适的密度,能够维持林下植物多样性,有利于马尾松人工林的可持续经营。     

Biomass allocation patterns of Loropetalum chinense

Aims Biomass is the most fundamental quantitative character of an ecosystem. Biomass allocation patterns reflect the strategies of plants to adapt various habitat conditions and play a vital role in evolution, biodiversity conservation and global carbon cycle. Loropetalum chinense shrub is one of the most dominant shrub types in subtropical China. The objectives of this study were to quantify the allometric relationships and the biomass allocation pattern among organs, and to investigate the effects of body size, shrub regeneration origin and site factors on allometry and biomass allocation.
Methods Individual samples of L. chinense were harvested from shrublands in subtropical China and were further divided into leaves, stems and roots. The allometric relationships between different organs were modeled with standard major axis (SMA) regression and the biomass allocation to different organs was quantified. The effects of body size, shrub regeneration origin and other habitat factors on allometry and allocation were examined using Pearson’s correlation analysis and multiple linear regressions.
Important findings The isometric scaling relationships between shoot and root changed to allometric relationships with increasing basal diameter. The scaling relationships between leaf and stem and between leaf and root were isometric for smaller diameter classes, while for larger diameter classes they were allometric. These relationships were significantly different among shrub regeneration origin types. The scaling relationships between different organs were not affected by habitat factors; while the coverage of shrub layer and slope affected biomass allocation due to their influences on the allometric relationships between different organs at the initial stage of growth. The mean dry mass ratios of leaf, stem, root and the mean root to shoot ratio were 0.11, 0.55, 0.34 and 0.65, respectively. With the increase of basal diameter class, stem mass ratio (0.50-0.64) increased, while leaf mass ratio (0.12-0.08) and root mass ratio (0.38-0.28) decreased, and consequently root to shoot ratio (0.91-0.43) also decreased. In secondary shrublands, the leaf mass ratio was 0.12 and the root mass ratio was 0.33, while these values were 0.07 and 0.36 respectively in natural shrublands. The ratio of aboveground allocation was significantly correlated to shrub layer coverage (r = 0.44, p < 0.05). Leaf mass ratio was significantly correlated to slope (r = -0.36, p < 0.05) and root mass ratio was significantly correlated to mean annual temperature (r = 0.34, p < 0.05). Results showed that with the increase of body size, the scaling relationships between different organs of L. chinense changed from isometric to allometric, and more biomass was allocated to aboveground part, and concretely, to stems. Human disturbance affected biomass allocation by its influences on the allometric relationships between different organs, and by increasing biomass allocation to leaves and decreasing allocation to roots. Reduced light resource promoted the biomass allocation to aboveground part, and higher slope resulted in decreased biomass allocation to leaves, while higher mean annual temperature promoted biomass allocation to roots. The variation in annual precipitation had no significant influences on biomass allocation. The biomass allocation strategies of L. chinense partially support the optimal partitioning theory.     

青藏高原高寒区阔叶林植被固碳现状、速率和潜力

为明晰青藏高原高寒区阔叶林植被碳储量现状及其动态变化特征, 利用森林资源清查数据和标准样地实测数据, 估算了青藏高原高寒区(青海和西藏两省区)阔叶林植被的碳储量、固碳速率和固碳潜力。结果表明: 2011年青藏高原高寒区阔叶林植被碳储量为310.70 Tg, 碳密度为89.04 Mg·hm^-2。六类阔叶林型(栎(Quercus)林、桦木(Betula)林、杨树(Populus)林、其他硬阔林、其他软阔林和阔叶混交林)中, 阔叶混交林的碳储量最大, 杨树林碳储量最小; 其他硬阔林碳密度最大, 其他软阔林碳密度最小。空间分配上碳储量和碳密度表现为: 乔木层>灌木层>凋落物层>草本层>枯死木层。不同龄级碳储量和碳密度总体表现为随林龄增加逐渐增大的趋势。阔叶林碳储量从2001年的304.26 Tg增加到2011年的310.70 Tg, 平均年固碳量为0.64 Tg·a^-1, 固碳速率为0.19 Mg·hm^-2·a^-1。不同林型固碳速率表现为其他软阔林最大, 其他硬阔林最小; 不同龄级表现为成熟林最大, 幼龄林最小。阔叶林乔木层固碳潜力为19.09 Mg·hm^-2, 且不同林型固碳潜力表现为栎林最大, 桦树林最小。三次调查期间阔叶林碳储量逐渐增加, 主要原因是近年来森林保护工程的开展使阔叶林生长健康良好。     

Carbon storage and its distribution of forest ecosystems in Zhejiang Province,China

Aims
The concentration of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has considerably increased over last century and is set to rise further. Forest ecosystems play a key role in reducing CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere and mitigating global climate change. Our objective is to understand carbon storage and its distribution in forest ecosystems in Zhejiang Province, China.
Methods
By using the 8th forest resource inventory data and 2011-2012 field investigation data, we estimated carbon storage, density and its distribution in forest ecosystems of Zhejiang Province.
Important findings
The carbon storage of forest ecosystems in Zhejiang Province was 602.73 Tg, of which 122.88 Tg in tree layer, 16.73 Tg in shrub-herb layer, 11.36 Tg in litter layer and 451.76 Tg in soil layer accounting for 20.39%, 2.78%, 1.88% and 74.95% of the total carbon storage, respectively. The carbon storage of mixed broadleaved forests was 138.03 Tg which ranked the largest (22.90%) among all forest types. The young and middle aged forests which accounted for 70.66% of the total carbon storage were the main body of carbon storage in Zhejiang Province. The carbon density of forest ecosystems in Zhejiang Province was 120.80 t·hm^-2 and that in tree layer, shrub-herb layer, litter layer and soil layer were 24.65 t·hm^-2, 3.36 t·hm^-2, 2.28 t·hm^-2 and 90.51 t·hm^-2, respectively. The significant relationship between soil organic carbon storage and forest ecosystem carbon storage indicated that soil carbon played an important role in shaping forest ecosystem carbon density. Carbon density of tree layer increased with age in natural forests, but decreased in the order over-mature > near-mature > mature > middle-aged > young forest in plantations. The proportions of young and middle aged forests were larger than any other age classes. Thereby, the carbon storage of forest ecosystems in Zhejiang Province could be increased through a proper forest management.     

中国寒温带不同林龄白桦林碳储量及分配特征

为了解中国寒温带地区不同林龄白桦林生态系统碳储量及固碳能力, 在样地调查基础上, 以大兴安岭地区25、40与61年白桦(Betula platyphylla)林生态系统为研究对象, 对其乔木层、林下地被物层(灌木层、草本层、凋落物层)、土壤层(0-100 cm)碳储量与分配特征进行调查研究。结果表明白桦林乔木层各器官碳含量在440.7-506.7 g·kg ^-1之间, 各器官碳含量随着林龄的增长而降低; 灌木层、草本层碳含量随林龄的增加呈先降后升的变化趋势; 凋落物层碳含量随林龄增加而降低; 土壤层(0-100 cm)碳含量随林龄增加而显著升高, 随着土层深度的增加而降低。白桦林生态系统各层次碳储量均随林龄的增加而明显升高。25、40与61年白桦林乔木层碳储量分别为11.9、19.1和34.2 t·hm ^-2, 各器官碳储量大小顺序表现为树干>树根>树枝>树叶, 树干碳储量分配比例随林龄增加而升高。25、40与61年白桦林生态系统碳储量分别为77.4、180.9和271.4 t·hm ^-2, 其中土壤层占生态系统总碳储量的81.6%、87.7%和85.9%, 是白桦林生态系统的主要碳库。随林龄增加, 白桦林年净生产力(2.0-4.4 t·hm ^-2·a ^-1)、年净固碳量(1.0-2.1 t·hm ^-2·a ^-1)均出现增长, 老龄白桦林仍具有较强的碳汇作用。     

Carbon density characteristics of sparse Ulmus pumila forest and Populus simonii plantation in Onqin Daga Sandy Land and their relationships with stand age

Aims
Sparse Ulmus pumila forest is an intrazonal vegetation in Onqin Daga Sandy Land, while Populus simonii has been widely planted for windbreak and sand dune stabilization in the same region. Our objective was to compare the differences in carbon (C) density of these two forests and their relationships with stand age.
Methods
We measured the C content of tree organs (leaf, twig, stem, and root), herb layers (above ground vegetation and below ground root) and soil layers (up to 100 cm) in sparse Ulmus pumila forests and Populus simonii plantations of different stand ages, and then computed C density and their proportions in total ecosystem carbon density. In addition, we illustrated the variation in carbon density-stand age relationship for tree layer, soil layer and whole ecosystem. We finally estimated the C sequestration rates for these two forests by the space-for-time substitution approach.
Important findings
The average C contents of tree layer and soil layer for sparse Ulmus pumila forests were lower than those for Populus simonii plantations. The total C density of sparse Ulmus pumila forests was half of that of Populus simonii plantations. The carbon density of soil and tree layers accounted for more than 98% of ecosystem C density in the two forests. Irrespective of forest type, the C density ratios of soil to vegetation decreased with stand age. This ratio was 1.66 for sparse Ulmus pumila forests and 1.87 for Populus simonii plantations when they were over-matured. The C density of tree layer, soil layer, and total ecosystem in both forests increased along forest development. There were significantly positive correlations between tree layer’s C density and stand age in both forests and between the total ecosystem C density of sparse Ulmus pumila forests and stand age. The C sequestration rate of tree layer was 5-fold higher in Populus simonii plantation than in sparse Ulmus pumila forest. The ecosystem-level C sequestration rate was 0.81 Mg C·hm^-2·a^-1 for sparse Ulmus pumila forest and 5.35 Mg C·hm^-2·a^-1 for Populus simonii plantation. These findings have implications for C stock estimation of sandy land forest ecosystems and policy-making of ecological restoration and C sink enhancement in the studied area.