安徽省森林碳储量现状及固碳潜力

为阐明安徽省不同林龄的森林生态系统的碳储量现状, 以及现有自然环境条件下顶极森林生态系统的固碳潜力, 采用野外样地调查和BIOME4模型方法对此进行研究。安徽省森林生态系统的现状总碳储量为714.5 Tg C, 其中植被碳402.1 Tg C、土壤碳312.4 Tg C。从幼龄林至过熟林的生长过程中, 森林生态系统的总碳密度和植被碳密度都呈现增长趋势。但土壤碳密度从幼龄林至近熟林阶段呈增加趋势, 近熟林以后出现减少趋势。安徽省幼龄林和中龄林占森林总面积的75%, 若幼、中龄林发展到近熟林阶段, 将增加125.4 Tg C。BIOME4模拟显示: 当森林发展到气候顶极森林时, 安徽省森林生态系统将增加245.7 Tg C, 即总固碳潜力包括植被固碳153.7 Tg C, 土壤固碳92.0 Tg C。     

Current forest carbon stocks and carbon sequestration potential in Anhui Province,China北大核心CSCD

Aims This study was conducted to investigate carbon stocks in forest ecosystems of different stand ages in Anhui Province, and to identify the carbon sequestration potential of climax forests controlled by the natural environment conditions. Methods Data were collected based on field investigations and simulations were made with the BIOME4 carbon cycle model. Important findings Currently, the total forest carbon stocks in Anhui Province amounts to 714.5 Tg C: 402.1 Tg C in vegetation and 312.4 Tg C in soil. Generally, both the total and vegetation carbon density exhibit an increasing trend with the natural growth of forest stands. Soil carbon density increases from young to near mature forests, and then gradually decreases thereafter. Young and middle-aged forests account for 75% of the total forest area in Anhui Province, with potentially an additional 125.4 Tg C to be gained after the young and middle-aged forests reach near mature stage. Results of BIOME4 simulations show that potentially an additional 245.7 Tg C, including 153.7 Tg C in vegetation and 92 Tg C in soil, could be gained if the current forests are transformed into climax forest ecosystems in Anhui Province.     

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.     

Current stocks and rate of sequestration of forest carbon in Gansu Province,China

Aims
Carbon sequestration is the basic function and most primary service of forest ecosystems, and plays a vital role in mitigating the global climate change. However, carbon storage and allocation in forest ecosystems have been less studied at regional scales than at forest stand levels, and the results are subject to uncertainty due to inconsistent methodologies. In this study we aim to obtain relatively accurate estimates of forest carbon stocks and sequestration rate at a provincial scale (regional) based on plot surveys of plants and soils.
Methods
In consideration of the areas and distributions of major forest types, 212 sampling plots, covering different age classes and origins (natural forests vs. planted forests), were surveyed in Gansu Province in northern China. Field investigations were conducted for vegetation layers (trees, shrubs, herbs and litter), soil profiles, and sampling of both plant materials and soils for laboratory analyses. Regional carbon stocks were calculated by up-scaling the carbon densities of all forest types with their corresponding areas. Carbon sequestration rate was estimated by referencing the reports of national forest inventory data for different periods.
Important findings Forest carbon stocks at the provincial scale were estimated at 612.43 Tg C, including 179.04 Tg C in biomass and 433.39 Tg C in soil organic materials. Specifically, natural forests stored 501.42 Tg C, approximately 4.52 times than that of the plantations. Biomass carbon density in both natural forests and plantations showed an increasing trend with stand age classes, and was greater in natural forests than in plantations within the same age classes. Soil carbon density also increased with stand age classes in natural forests, but the highest value occurred at the pre-mature stage in plantations. The weighted average of regional biomass carbon density was at 72.43 Mg C·hm^-2, with the average value of 90.52 Mg C·hm^-2 in natural forests and 33.79 Mg C·hm^-2 in plantations, respectively. In 1996, vegetation stored 132.47 Tg C in natural forests and 12.81 Tg C in plantations, respectively, and the values increased to 152.41 and 26.63 Tg C in 2011, with the mean carbon sequestration rates of 1.33 and 0.92 Tg C·a^-1. Given that young and middle-aged forests account for a large proportion (62.28%) of the total forest areas, the region is expected to have substantial potential of carbon sequestration.     

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.     

吉林省森林植被固碳现状与速率

通过对吉林省森林植被的普遍调查、典型调查以及植被样品含碳率测定, 结合吉林省2009年和2014年森林清查数据, 估算了区域森林植被的碳储量、碳密度及固碳速率。研究结果表明: 林下植被的生物量在不同林分和同类林分中存在较大的差异, 整体不足乔木层生物量的3%, 灌木植物的生物量略高于草本植物和幼树。不同林分类型的乔木含碳率介于45.80%-52.97%之间, 整体表现为针叶林高于阔叶林; 灌木和草本植物分别为39.79%-47.25%和40%左右。吉林省森林植被碳转换系数以0.47或0.48更为准确, 若以0.50或0.45作为植被的碳转换系数计算碳储量, 会造成±5.26%的偏差。吉林省森林植被不仅维持着较高的碳库水平, 而且极具碳汇能力; 2009年和2014年碳储量分别为471.29 Tg C和505.76 Tg C, 累计碳增量34.47 Tg C, 平均每年碳增量6.89 Tg C·a^-1; 碳密度由64.58 t·hm^-2增至66.68 t·hm^-2, 平均增加2.10 t·hm^-2, 固碳速率0.92 t·hm^-2·a^-1。森林植被碳储量的增长主体是蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)林和阔叶混交林, 合计碳增量占总体的90.34%。受植被发育引起的生物量增长、林分龄组晋级以及森林经营所引起的面积变化影响, 各龄组植被碳增量为幼龄林>过熟林>近熟林>中龄林, 成熟林表现为负增长; 固碳速率为过熟林>幼龄林>近熟林>中龄林>成熟林。森林植被碳储量和碳密度的市/区分布整体表现为自东向西明显的降低变化; 碳增量以东北和中东部地区较高, 西部地区较低; 固碳速率整体以南部的通化地区和白山地区相对较高, 中部的吉林地区和东部的延边地区次之, 西部的白城地区、松原地区等地呈负增长。     

Soil carbon storage and its determinants in the forests of Shaanxi Province,China

Aims The bank of soil carbon of forests plays an important role in the global carbon cycle. Our aim is to understand the characteristics of soil carbon storage and its determinants in the forests in Shaanxi Province.Methods The data of forest inventory in 2009 and resampling in 2011 were used to analyze the characteristics of soil carbon storage and its determinants in the forest soil in Shaanxi Province.Important findings The soil carbon storage in the forests in Shaanxi Province was 579.68 Tg. Soil carbon storage of Softwood and Hardwood forests were the highest among all forest types, accounting for 36.35% of the whole province forest soil carbon storage. The forest soil carbon storage was 4.15 times greater in the natural forest (467.17 Tg) than that in the plantations. The young and middle-aged forests were the main contributors to the total carbon storage across all age groups, accounting for about 57.30% of the total forest soil carbon storage. The average soil carbon density of forests in Shaanxi Province was 90.68 t∙hm^-2, in which the soil carbon density of Betula forests was the highest (141.74 t∙hm^-2). Soil carbon density of different forest types were gradually decreased with soil depth. In addition, it was highest in middle-aged forest. Soil carbon density was higher in the natural forest ecosystems than that in the plantations within the each age group, indicating natural forest ecosystems have higher capacity of carbon sequestration. Differences in the spatial patterns between carbon storage and density indicated that carbon storage was related to forest coverage. The soil carbon density and storage of forests in Yulin were the lowest across the province. This suggests that, in order to enhance the regional carbon sequestration capacity in this region, we need to appropriately strengthen artificial afforestation activities and manage them scientifically and rationally. The soil carbon density of forests in Shaanxi Province decreased with the increase of longitude, latitude, and annual temperature, but increased with the increase of altitude and annual rainfall. This study provides data basis for provincial estimation of forest soil carbon bank in China.     

甘肃省森林碳储量现状与固碳速率

针对森林碳平衡再评估的重要性和区域尺度森林生态系统碳库量化分配的不确定性, 该研究依据全国森林资源连续清查结果中甘肃省各森林类型分布的面积与蓄积比重以及林龄和起源等要素, 在甘肃省布设212个样地, 经野外调查与采样、室内分析, 并对典型样地信息按照面积权重进行尺度扩展, 估算了甘肃省森林生态系统碳储量及其分布特征。结果表明: 甘肃省森林生态系统总碳储量为612.43 Tg C, 其中植被生物量碳为179.04 Tg C, 土壤碳为433.39 Tg C。天然林是甘肃省碳储量的主要贡献者, 其值为501.42 Tg C, 是人工林的4.52倍。天然林和人工林的植被碳密度均表现为随林龄的增加而增加的趋势, 同一龄组天然林植被碳密度高于人工林。天然林土壤碳密度从幼龄林到过熟林逐渐增加, 但人工林土壤碳密度最大值主要为近熟林。全省森林植被碳密度均值为72.43 Mg C·hm^-2, 天然林和人工林分别为90.52和33.79 Mg C·hm^-2。基于森林清查资料和标准样地实测数据, 估算出全省天然林和人工林在1996年的植被碳储量为132.47和12.81 Tg C, 2011年分别为152.41和26.63 Tg C, 平均固碳速率分别为1.33和0.92 Tg C·a^-1。甘肃省幼、中龄林面积比重较大, 占全省的62.28%, 根据碳密度随林龄的动态变化特征, 预测这些低龄林将发挥巨大的碳汇潜力。     

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.     

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.     

浙江省森林生态系统碳储量及其分布特征

利用2011-2012年野外标准地实测资料, 结合第八次全国森林资源清查资料, 研究了浙江省森林生态系统碳储量及其分布特征。结果表明: 浙江省森林生态系统碳储量为602.73 Tg, 其中乔木层、灌草层、凋落物层和土壤层碳储量分别为122.88 Tg、16.73 Tg、11.36 Tg和451.76 Tg, 分别占生态系统碳储量的20.39%、2.78%、1.88%和74.95%; 在各森林类型中, 阔叶混交林碳储量为138.03 Tg, 所占比例最大(22.90%); 在森林各龄组中, 幼、中龄林约占浙江省森林生态系统碳储量的70.66%, 是碳储量的主要贡献者。浙江省森林生态系统平均碳密度为120.80 t·hm^-2, 乔木层、灌草层、凋落物层和土壤层碳密度分别为24.65 t·hm^-2、3.36 t·hm^-2、2.28 t·hm^-2和90.51 t·hm^-2。浙江省森林生态系统土壤层碳储量和生态系统碳储量呈极显著相关关系, 说明土壤层碳储量对浙江省森林生态系统碳储量贡献较大。浙江省天然林乔木层碳密度整体表现为过熟林>成熟林>近熟林>中龄林>幼龄林, 而人工林乔木层碳密度表现为过熟林>近熟林>成熟林>中龄林>幼龄林。浙江省幼、中龄林林分面积占比重较大, 占全省森林面积的76.76%, 若对现有森林进行更好的经营和管理, 可以增加浙江省森林的碳固存能力。     

典型亚热带森林生态系统碳密度及储量空间变异特征

以浙江省森林生态系统为研究对象,基于GIS网格布点,采集了838个森林样地样本(土壤、枯落物等),结合浙江省森林资源监测中心相关数据,利用地统计学和Moran's I相结合的方法系统研究了浙江省森林生态系统碳密度及碳储量空间变异特征。结果表明:浙江省森林生态系统平均碳密度为145.22 t/hm~2,其中森林植被、土壤、枯落物和枯死木层碳密度分别为27.34、108.89、1.79、1.38 t/hm~2。克里格空间插值和局部Moran's I指数结果表明碳密度空间分布规律呈现从西南向东北方向逐渐递减的趋势,与浙江省地形、地势较为一致,受海拔、树龄、森林类型、台风气候等自然因素和人类活动共同影响。浙江省森林生态系统碳储量为877.19 Tg C,森林植被、土壤、枯落物和枯死木层碳储量分别为203.88、656.20、10.84、6.27 Tg C,分别占总碳储量的23%、75%、1.3%、0.7%。在浙江省森林生态系统碳储量空间分布格局中,土壤层是森林生态系统中最大的碳库,约是森林植被层的3.22倍,是整个浙江省森林生态系统碳储量最主要的贡献者。浙江省森林资源丰富,大多数森林仍处于中幼龄林阶段,碳密度水平较低,但是中幼龄林生长速度较快,加强对全省中幼龄林的健康管理,是未来整体提升浙江省森林生态系统固碳潜力的关键。     

湖南省森林植被碳储量、碳密度动态特征

利用湖南省4次(1983—1987年、1990—1995年、2003—2004年和2009年)森林资源清查数据,采用材积源-生物量法,结合湖南省现有森林植被主要树种碳含量实测数据,研究近20多年来湖南省森林植被碳储量、碳密度的动态特征。结果表明:从1987年到2009年,湖南省乔木林植被碳汇为66.40×106tC,碳密度提高了5.65 tC/hm~2,阔叶林碳汇最大(48.43×10~6tC),其次是杉木林(9.54×10~6tC)和松木林(6.68×10~6tC),各乔木林植被碳密度波动较大;除过熟林外,各龄组乔木林均为碳汇,中龄林碳汇最大,幼龄林、中龄林、近熟林植被碳密度依次提高了4.75、4.09、0.83 tC/hm~2,成熟林、过熟林分别下降了6.87、13.88 tC/hm~2;天然林、人工林植被碳汇分别为41.01×10~6tC、25.39×10~6tC,碳密度分别提高了7.19、4.91 tC/hm~2。湖南省森林植被(包括疏林)碳汇为84.87×10~6tC,乔木林碳汇最大,其次是竹林,分别占湖南省森林植被碳汇的78.24%和33.31%,碳密度提高了6.24 tC/hm~2,各森林类型植被碳储量随其面积变化而变化。表明近20多年来,湖南省乔木林植被单位面积储碳能力明显提高,天然林在湖南省乔木林植被碳储量占有重要地位。     

Ecosystem carbon stock and within-system distribution in successional Fagus lucida forests in Mt. Yueliang,Guizhou, China

林龄对森林生态系统碳储量及其在不同碳组分(植被、木质残体、凋落物和土壤)中的分配有着重要影响。亚热带森林在陆地生态系统碳循环中起着重要作用, 水青冈属(Fagus)植物是我国亚热带广泛分布的重要树种, 而有关水青冈林碳储量随林龄变化的研究在我国鲜有报道。该研究选取贵州月亮山3个演替阶段(林龄分别为33年、82年和208年)的亮叶水青冈(Fagus lucida)林为研究对象, 对其生态系统全组分的碳储量及其分配格局进行了调查与估算。研究发现, 随林龄增加, 亮叶水青冈林生态系统碳储量显著增加, 33年、82年和208年林分别为(186.9 ± 46.0)、(265.8 ± 82.3)和(515.1 ± 176.4) Mg·hm ^-2, 且生态系统碳储量的增加主要由植被碳储量(占比由32%增长至79%)贡献。凋落物与木质残体碳储量随林龄增加亦呈增加趋势, 但二者占生态系统碳储量的比例很小(<1%)。而不同林龄土壤碳储量无显著差异, 其占比由33年林的67%降至208年林的20%。这些结果验证了林龄对森林生态系统各组分碳储量及其分配的重要影响, 同时指出干扰和土地利用历史等对森林植物残体和土壤碳积累的重要作用。     

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.     

Spatial pattern of soil organic carbon of the main forest soils and its influencing factors in Guangxi,China

Aims
Our objectives were to study the spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) density and its influencing factors in the main forest ecosystems in Guangxi.
Methods
A total of 345 sample plots were established in Guangxi, and the size of each plot was 50 m × 20 m. Based on the forest resource inventory data and field investigation, the SOC storage of the main forests in Guangxi was estimated. Geostatistics was applied to analyze the spatial pattern of SOC density and the main influencing factors on SOC density were also explored by principal component analysis and stepwise regression.
Important findings
The total SOC storage in the main forests in Guangxi was 1686.88 Tg, and the mean SOC density was 124.70 Mg·hm^-2, which is lower than that of China. The best fitted semivariogram model of SOC density was exponential model, and the spatial autocorrelation was medium. The contour map based on Kriging indicated that northeastern Guangxi had high SOC density and northwestern Guangxi had low SOC density, which corresponded to high SOC density in non-karst region and low SOC density in karst region. The SOC density followed the sequence of bamboo forest > deciduous broadleaf forest > warm coniferous forest > mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaf forest > evergreen broadleaf forest, and yellow soil > red soil > lateritic red soil > limestone soil. The dominant environment factors affecting SOC density included soil depth, longitude, latitude, and altitude. Soil depth was the most influential factor, which was mainly attributed to the karst landscape.     

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.     

Response of vegetation and soil carbon accumulation rate for China’s mature forest on climate change

Aims
This study aims to evaluate the impacts of future climate change on vegetation and soil carbon accumulation rate in China’s forests.
Methods
The vegetation and soil carbon storage were predicted by the atmosphere-vegetation interaction model (AVIM2) based on B2 climate change scenario during the period of 1981-2040. This study focused on mature forests in China and the forested area maintained constant over the study period. The carbon accumulation rate in year t is defined as the carbon storage of year t minus that of year t-1.
Important findings
Under B2 climate change scenario, mean air temperature in China’s forested area was projected to rise from 7.8 °C in 1981 to 9.0 °C in 2040. The total vegetation carbon storage was then estimated to increase from 8.56 Pg C in 1981 to 9.79 Pg C in 2040, meanwhile total vegetation carbon accumulation rate was estimated to fluctuate between -0.054-0.076 Pg C·a^-1, with the average of 0.022 Pg C·a^-1. The total soil carbon storage was estimated to increase from 30.2 Pg C in 1981 to 30.72 Pg C in 2040, and total soil carbon accumulation rate was estimated to vary in the range of -0.035-0.072 Pg C·a^-1, with the mean of 0.010 Pg C·a^-1. The response of vegetation and soil carbon accumulation rate to climate change had significant spatial difference in China although the two time series did not show significant trend over the study period. Our results also showed warming was not in favor of forest carbon accumulation, so in the northeastern and southeastern forested area, especially in the Changbai Mountain, with highest temperature increase in the future, the vegetation and soil carbon accumulation rate were estimated to decrease greatly. However, in the southern of southwestern forested area and other forested area, with relatively less temperature increase, the vegetation and soil carbon accumulation rate was estimated to increase in the future.     

基于森林清查资料的河南省森林植被碳储量动态变化

利用1994—1998年、1999—2003年、2004—2008年、2009—2013年河南省4期森林资源清查数据,运用生物量转换因子连续函数法和平均生物量法,估算了1998—2013年河南省森林植被的碳储量和碳密度变化。研究结果表明,河南省森林植被碳储量由1998年的45.57 Tg增加到2013年的107.98 Tg,年均碳汇量为4.16 Tg/a。乔木林碳储量和碳密度分别由1998年的33.54 Tg和22.39 Mg/hm~2增加到2013年的97.11 Tg和31.80 Mg/hm~2。乔木林碳储量在所有植被类型中占主体,4个森林清查时期乔木林碳储量占森林植被总碳储量的比例分别为73.60%、79.22%、85.63%和89.93%。2013年森林清查时,乔木林中杨树和栎类碳储量最大,分别占总碳储量的37.61%和25.22%,各龄组乔木林碳密度大小顺序依次为成熟林近熟林中龄林过熟林幼龄林。阔叶林面积、碳储量、碳密度均高于针叶林,阔叶林是河南省森林碳汇的主要贡献者。人工林面积、碳储量、碳密度增加幅度都要高于天然林,人工林碳储量由1998年的9.62 Tg增加到2013年的55.67 Tg,占乔木林碳储量总增量的77.15%,人工林碳密度由1998年的17.86 Mg/hm~2提高到2013年的32.01 Mg/hm~2,人工林在河南省森林碳汇中逐步发挥重要的作用,逐渐成为河南省森林碳汇的主体,随着人工林生长为具有较高碳密度的成熟林,河南省乔木林将具有较大的碳汇潜力。     

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.