Carbon storage of the forests and its spatial pattern in Nei Mongol,China北大核心CSCD

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•hm2, with 35.6 t•hm2 in trees, 2.9 t•hm2 in litter, 1.2 t•hm2 in herbaceous and 0.6 t•hm2 in shrubs. In comparison, carbon storage of soil layer in forests in Nei Mongol was 2 449.6 Tg C, with 79.8% distributed in the first 30 cm. Carbon density of soil layer was 144.4 t•hm2. Carbon storage of forest ecosystem in Nei Mongol was 3 237.4 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•hm2. 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.     

Present status and rate of carbon sequestration of forest vegetation in Jilin Province,Northeast China北大核心CSCD

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•a1. The corresponding carbon sequestration rate was 0.92 t•hm 2•a1. The carbon density rose from 64.58 t•hm 2 in 2009 to 66.68 t•hm2 in 2014, with an average increase of 2.10 t•hm2. 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.     

Carbon storage and its distribution of forest ecosystems in Zhejiang Province,China北大核心CSCD

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•hm2 and that in tree layer, shrub-herb layer, litter layer and soil layer were 24.65 t•hm2, 3.36 t•hm2, 2.28 t•hm2 and 90.51 t•hm2, 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.     

Characterization of changes in land cover and carbon storage in Northeastern China: An analysis based on Landsat TM data

We use Landsat TM time series data for the years of 1991/1992, 1995/1996 and1999/2000 to characterize land-cover change in northeast China. With the information onland-cover change and the density of vegetation and soil carbon, we assess the potential effect of land-cover change on vegetation and soil carbon in this region. Our results show a large decrease of 2.76×10~4km~2 in forest area and a rapid increase of 2.32×10~4km~2 in urban area. Land-cover changes in northeast China have resulted in a potential maximum loss of 273.2 Tg C for the period of 1991-2000, with a net loss of 95.7 Tg C in vegetation and 177.5Tg C in soil. The conversionof forests into other land-cover types could have potentially resulted in a loss of 254.6 Tg C for thestudy period, accounting for 68.8% of the total potential carbon loss in the northeast China. To quantify the net effect of land-cover change on carbon storage will require accounting for vegeta-tion regrowth and soil processes. Our results also imply that forest protection and reforestation are of critical importance to carbon sequestration in China.     

Dynamics of soil organic carbon storage following restoration of grassland on Yunwu Mountain

Grassland recovery and reconstruction are critical to ecological restoration in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP). Investigating changes in soil organic carbon density (SOCD), soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, and the rate of SOC sequestration is very important to assess the effect of ecological recovery and estimate the capacity of soil carbon sequestration. Here, we present the data of SOCD, SOC storage, and SOC sequestration rate from grasslands conversion from farmlands in the CLP. Our results indicate that: (1) The average SOCD (0–100 cm) in sites continued cultivation (CC), cultivation abandonment at 1999 (AC-99) and cultivation abandonment at 1989 (AC-89) is 6.00, 21.64 and 22.23 kg m^?2, respectively. SOCD in sites AC-99 and AC-89 is significantly higher than that in site CC and the average SOCD of China (10.53 kg m^?2), which indicates that vegetation restoration is benefit to increase soil carbon storage as well as preserve soil and water in this area. (2) The SOC storage (0–100 cm) in sites CC, AC-99 and AC-89 is 60.02, 216.35 and 222.32 kg m^?2, respectively. Results of ANOVA indicate that SOC storage of AC-99 is significantly higher than that of CC, while SOC storage of AC-89 is significantly higher than that of AC-99 at the depth of 0–50 cm (P < 0.001). It suggests that the capability of soil carbon sequestration increases after vegetation restoration, which is mainly due to the increase of plant roots. (3) The rate of SOC sequestration varies at different depths, which is high at the depth of 0–50 cm while low at the depth of 50–100 cm. This is probably due to the accumulation of plant root in the surface layer, which is the main controlling factor of SOC in this area. Our results indicate that the SOCD and SOC storage increase with vegetation restoration in our study site significantly.     

Dynamics of soil organic carbon storage following restoration of grassland on Yunwu Mountain

Grassland recovery and reconstruction are critical to ecological restoration in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP). Investigating changes in soil organic carbon density (SOCD), soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, and the rate of SOC sequestration is very important to assess the effect of ecological recovery and estimate the capacity of soil carbon sequestration. Here, we present the data of SOCD, SOC storage, and SOC sequestration rate from grasslands conversion from farmlands in the CLP. Our results indicate that: (1) The average SOCD (0–100 cm) in sites continued cultivation (CC), cultivation abandonment at 1999 (AC-99) and cultivation abandonment at 1989 (AC-89) is 6.00, 21.64 and 22.23 kg m^?2, respectively. SOCD in sites AC-99 and AC-89 is significantly higher than that in site CC and the average SOCD of China (10.53 kg m^?2), which indicates that vegetation restoration is benefit to increase soil carbon storage as well as preserve soil and water in this area. (2) The SOC storage (0–100 cm) in sites CC, AC-99 and AC-89 is 60.02, 216.35 and 222.32 kg m^?2, respectively. Results of ANOVA indicate that SOC storage of AC-99 is significantly higher than that of CC, while SOC storage of AC-89 is significantly higher than that of AC-99 at the depth of 0–50 cm (P < 0.001). It suggests that the capability of soil carbon sequestration increases after vegetation restoration, which is mainly due to the increase of plant roots. (3) The rate of SOC sequestration varies at different depths, which is high at the depth of 0–50 cm while low at the depth of 50–100 cm. This is probably due to the accumulation of plant root in the surface layer, which is the main controlling factor of SOC in this area. Our results indicate that the SOCD and SOC storage increase with vegetation restoration in our study site significantly.     

Carbon storage,spatial distribution and the influence factors in Tianshan forests北大核心CSCD

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•hm2, with 98.93% found in the arbor layer. The biomass in all layers was in the order of trunk (109.81 Mg•hm2) > root (39.79 Mg•hm2) > branch (23.62 Mg•hm2) > leaf (12.76 Mg•hm2). From the age-group point of view, the highest and the lowest biomass was found at the mature forest (228.74 Mg•hm2) and young forest (146.77 Mg•hm2), respectively. The carbon density and storage were 544.57 Mg•hm2 and 290.84 Tg C, with vegetation portion of 92.57 Mg•hm2 and 53.14 Tg C, and soil portion of 452.00 Mg•hm2 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.     

Soil Organic Matter Dynamics Along a Vertical Vegetation Gradient in the Gongga Mountain on the Tibetan Plateau

Our knowledge about soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics is limited although this is an important issue in the study of responses of ecosystems to global climate changes. Twelve sampling plots were set up every 200 m from 1 700 to 3 900 m along the vertical vegetation gradient along the east slope of Gongga Mountain. Samples were taken from all 12 plots for SOM content measurement, although only 5 of the 12 plots were subjected to radiocarbon measurements. A radiocarbon isotope method and a time-dependent model were used to quantify the SOM dynamics and SOM turnover rates along the vertical vegetation gradient. The results showed that the SOM turnover rate decreased and turnover time increased with soil depth for all vegetation types. The litter layer turnover rates presented a clear trend along the gradient. The litter layer turnover rates decreased with an increase in elevation, except that the litter layer turnover rate of mixed forest was higher than that of evergreen forest. Climatic factors, such as temperature and precipitation, were the main factors influencing the surface soil carbon dynamics. The turnover rates of the subsoil (including the A, B, and C horizons in the soil profiles) along the vertical gradient had no clear trends. The SOM of subalpine shrub and meadow turned over more slowly than that of the forest types in almost all soil horizons. The characteristic of short roots distributing in the upper part of the soil profile leads to different SOM dynamics of shrub and meadow compared with the forest types. Coniferous and mixed forests were susceptible to carbon loss from the young carbon pool, but their long and big roots resulted in high △^14C values of the deep soil profiles and increased the input of young carbon to the deep soil. In evergreen forest, the carbon cumulative ability from the B horizon to the C horizon was weak. The different vegetation types, together with their different modes of nutrient and carbon intake, may be the mechanism conditioning the subsoil organic matter dynamics.     

Modeling the spatial–temporal dynamics of water use efficiency in Yangtze River Basin using IBIS model

Climate change alters regional water and carbon cycling, which has been a hot study point in the filed of climatology and ecology. As a traditionally “water-rich” region of China, Yangtze River Basin plays an important role in regional economic development and ecosystem productivity. However, the mechanism of the influence of climate change on water and carbon cycling has been received little attention. As a coupling indicator for carbon and water, the water use efficiency (WUE) is widely used, which indicates the water consumption for carbon sequestration in watershed and regional scale. A lot of studies showed that climate change has significantly affected the water resource and production of the ecosystems in Yangtze River Basin during the period of 1956–2006, when great climate variations were occurred. To better understand the alternation pattern for the relationship between water and carbon cycling under climate change at regional scale, the WUE and the spatiotemporal variations patterns were simulated in the study area from 1956 to 2006 by using the Integrated Biosphere Simulator (IBIS). The results showed that the WUE spatial pattern had the annual and seasonal variations. In general, the average annual WUE value per square meter was about 0.58 g C/kg H₂O in Yangtze River Basin. The high WUE levels were mainly distributed in the eastern area of Sichuan, western area of Jiangxi and Hunan, and the highest value reached 0.88 g C/kg H₂O. The lowest WUE’s were mainly located in the western area of Sichuan and Qinghai with the lowest values reaching to 0.36 g C/kg H₂O. The WUE in other regions mostly ranged from 0.5 to 0.6 g C/kg H₂O. For the whole study area, the annual WUE slowly increased from 1956 to 2006. The WUE in the upper reaches of Yangtze River increased based on the simulated temporal trends, which mainly located in the western area of the Sichuan Basin; the WUE of the middle reaches of Yangtze River had increased slightly from 1987 to 1996, and then decreased from 1996 to 2006; the lower reaches of Yangtze River always had smaller WUE’s than the average from 1956 to 2006. The spatiotemporal variability of the WUE in the vegetation types was obvious in the Yangtze River Basin, and it was depended on the climate and soil conditions, and as well the disturbance in its distribution areas. The temporal variations of WUE among different vegetation types had similar trends but different in values. The forest type had higher WUE than any other vegetation types ranging from 0.65 to 0.8 g C/kg H₂O. The WUE of shrubland ranged from 0.45 to 0.6 g C/kg H₂O. The WUE of tundra was the lowest, indicating the differences in plant physiology. The consistence of the spatial pattern of WUE with the NPP indicated that the regional production of Yangtze River Basin increased based on the water resources prompted and vegetation restoration. We found the drought climate was one of critical factor that impacts the alteration of WUE in Yangtze River Basin in the simulation.     

Modeling the spatial–temporal dynamics of water use efficiency in Yangtze River Basin using IBIS model

Climate change alters regional water and carbon cycling, which has been a hot study point in the filed of climatology and ecology. As a traditionally “water-rich” region of China, Yangtze River Basin plays an important role in regional economic development and ecosystem productivity. However, the mechanism of the influence of climate change on water and carbon cycling has been received little attention. As a coupling indicator for carbon and water, the water use efficiency (WUE) is widely used, which indicates the water consumption for carbon sequestration in watershed and regional scale. A lot of studies showed that climate change has significantly affected the water resource and production of the ecosystems in Yangtze River Basin during the period of 1956–2006, when great climate variations were occurred. To better understand the alternation pattern for the relationship between water and carbon cycling under climate change at regional scale, the WUE and the spatiotemporal variations patterns were simulated in the study area from 1956 to 2006 by using the Integrated Biosphere Simulator (IBIS). The results showed that the WUE spatial pattern had the annual and seasonal variations. In general, the average annual WUE value per square meter was about 0.58 g C/kg H₂O in Yangtze River Basin. The high WUE levels were mainly distributed in the eastern area of Sichuan, western area of Jiangxi and Hunan, and the highest value reached 0.88 g C/kg H₂O. The lowest WUE’s were mainly located in the western area of Sichuan and Qinghai with the lowest values reaching to 0.36 g C/kg H₂O. The WUE in other regions mostly ranged from 0.5 to 0.6 g C/kg H₂O. For the whole study area, the annual WUE slowly increased from 1956 to 2006. The WUE in the upper reaches of Yangtze River increased based on the simulated temporal trends, which mainly located in the western area of the Sichuan Basin; the WUE of the middle reaches of Yangtze River had increased slightly from 1987 to 1996, and then decreased from 1996 to 2006; the lower reaches of Yangtze River always had smaller WUE’s than the average from 1956 to 2006. The spatiotemporal variability of the WUE in the vegetation types was obvious in the Yangtze River Basin, and it was depended on the climate and soil conditions, and as well the disturbance in its distribution areas. The temporal variations of WUE among different vegetation types had similar trends but different in values. The forest type had higher WUE than any other vegetation types ranging from 0.65 to 0.8 g C/kg H₂O. The WUE of shrubland ranged from 0.45 to 0.6 g C/kg H₂O. The WUE of tundra was the lowest, indicating the differences in plant physiology. The consistence of the spatial pattern of WUE with the NPP indicated that the regional production of Yangtze River Basin increased based on the water resources prompted and vegetation restoration. We found the drought climate was one of critical factor that impacts the alteration of WUE in Yangtze River Basin in the simulation.     

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

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•hm2, 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•a1 and 0.19 Mg•hm2•a1, 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•hm2 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.     

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

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 1 686.88 Tg, and the mean SOC density was 124.70 Mg•hm2, 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 Sequestration in Two Alpine Soils on the Tibetan Plateau

Soil carbon sequestration was estimated in a conifer forest and an alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau using a carbon- 14 radioactive label provided by thermonuclear weapon tests （known as bomb-^14C）. Soil organic matter was physically separated into light and heavy fractions. The concentration spike of bomb-^14C occurred at a soil depth of 4 cm in both the forest soil and the alpine meadow soil. Based on the depth of the bomb-^14C spike, the carbon sequestration rate was determined to be 38.5 g C/m^2 per year for the forest soil and 27.1 g C/m^2 per year for the alpine meadow soil. Considering that more than 60% of soil organic carbon （SOC） is stored in the heavy fraction and the large area of alpine forests and meadows on the Tibetan Plateau, these alpine ecosystems might partially contribute to ＂the missing carbon sink＂.     

Carbon cycle of larch plantation based on CO2FIX model北大核心CSCD

Aims Plantations play important roles in modifying regional carbon budget and maintaining regional carbon balance. In this study, we assessed larch plantation (Larix gmelinii var. principis-rupprechtii) carbon dynamics in Weichang County from a perspective of the forest biomass-soil-wood-products chain. Our objectives were to elucidate the carbon sink capacity of larch plantation and the influences of biomass, soil and wood product pools on carbon balance. Methods CO2FIX model was used to evaluate the carbon storage and flow of larch plantation over a time span of 120 years. Input data for model were derived from practical investigations and published papers. We validated the simulated results and found that this model was suitable in the region and the simulated results were reliable. Important findings (1) Soil was the largest carbon pool for larch plantation and the wood product pool had the smallest carbon storage. Meanwhile, carbon storage in wood products gradually increased with time. (2) In a rotation of 50 years from secondary poplar-birch forest to larch plantation, 250 t C•hm2 was sequestrated by the larch plantation. 70% of the carbon was transferred into soil in the form of litter and logging slash and the other 30% was transferred into wood products. (3) Larch plantation was a carbon sink during most of its growing period and turned to temporary carbon source when it was harvested. Larch plantation could sequestrate about 0.3 t C•hm2•a1 in the long term. Our results indicated the importance of wood product carbon pool in carbon dynamics of plantation, which facilitated our understanding in the carbon dynamics and capacity of plantation.     

Partitioning of soil respiration components and evaluating the mycorrhizal contribution to soil respiration in a semiarid grassland北大核心CSCD

Aims Soil respiration component partitioning is pivotal to understand the belowground carbon (C) cycle. Mycorrhizal fungi have been proven to play an important role in the soil C turnover, but only a few studies have been conducted to quantify the contribution of mycorrhizal respiration to total soil respiration in grassland ecosystems. Methods The mini-trenching mesh method was applied to partition soil respiration components of a semi-arid grassland in Inner Mongolia. A shallow collar (measuring soil total respiration), a deep collar (excluding roots and mycorrhizal hypahe) and a deep collar with 40 μm pore mesh window (excluding roots but not mycorrhizal hyphae) were installed in each plot. Soil respiration rate of each collar was measured every two weeks during the growing season from 2014 to 2016. The differences in the rate of soil respiration among different type of collars were used to partition the components of soil respiration. Important findings The results showed that the contribution of heterotrophic, root and mycorrhizal respiration to total soil respiration was 49%, 28%, and 23%, respectively. Across the three years, the proportion of mycorrhizal respiration varied from 21%-26%, which is comparable with the results reported by other studies recently. Our results demonstrated that the mini-trenching mesh method is a suitable method for separating mycorrhizal respiration component in grassland ecosystems. Evaluating the contribution of mycorrhizal respiration to total soil respiration is very important for predicting the responses of soil carbon release to future climate change. © 2018 Editorial Office of Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology. All rights reserved.     

Contribution of Root Respiration to Total Soil Respiration in a Leymus chinensis （Trin.） Tzvel, Grassland of Northeast China

The loss of carbon through root respiration Is an Important component of grassland carbon budgets. However, few data are available concerning the contribution of root respiration to total soil respiration in grasslands in China. We Investigated seasonal variations of soil respiration rate, root blomaaa, microbial blomaaa C and organic C content of the soil In a semi-arid Leymus chinensis （Trin.） Tzvel. grassland of northeast China during the 2002 growing season （from May to September）. The linear regression relationship between soil respiration rate and root blomaaa was used to determine the contribution of root respiration to total soil respiration. Soil respiration rate ranged from 2.5 to 11.9 g C/m^2 per d with the maximum in late June and minimum In September. The microbial blomaaa C and organic C content of the soil ranged from 0.3 to 1.5 g C/m^2 and from 29 to 34 g C/kg respectively. Root blomaaa had two peaks, In early June （1.80 kg/m^2） and mid-August （1.73 kg/m^2）. Root respiration rate peaked In mid-August （6.26 g C/m^2 per d）, whereas microbial respiration rate peaked In late June （7.43 g C/m^2 per d）. We estimated that the contribution of root respiration to total soil respiration during the growing season ranged from 38% to 76%.     

Vegetation Change and Soil Nutrient Distribution along an Oasis-Desert Transitional Zone in Northwestern China

Many studies have focused on soil nutrient heterogeneity and islands of fertility in arid ecosystems. However, few have been conducted on an oasis-desert transitional zone where there is a vegetation pattern changing from shrubs to annual herbs. The goal of the present study was to understand vegetation and soil nutrient heterogenity along an oasis-desert transitional zone in northwestern China. Three replicated sampling belts were selected at 200 m intervals along the transitional zone. Twenty-one quadrats （10 x 10m） at 50m intervals were located along each sampling belt. The vegetation cover was estimated through the quadrats, where both the soil under the canopy and the open soil were sampled simultaneously. The dominated shrub was Haloxylon ammodendron in the areas close to the oasis and Nitraria tangutorum dominated the areas close to the desert. In general, along the transitional zone the vegetation cover decreased within 660 m, increased above 660 m and decreased again above 1 020 m （close to the desert）. The soil nutrients （organic matter, total N, NO3^- and NH4^＋） showed significant differences along the zone. The soil nutrients except the soil NH4^＋ under the canopy were higher than those in open soil, confirming ＂islands of fertility＂ or nutrient enrichment. Only a slight downward trend of the level of ＂islands of fertility＂ for soil organic matter appeared in the area within 900 m. Soil organic matter both under canopy and in interspace showed a positive correlation with the total vegetation cover, however, there was no significant correlation between the other soil nutrients and the total vegetation cover. We also analyzed the relationship between the shrubs and annuals and the soil nutrients along the zone. Similarly, there was no significant correlation between them, except soil organic matter with the annuals. The results implied that annual plants played an important role in soil nutrient enrichment in arid ecosystem.     

Modeling the interannual variation and response to climate change scenarios in gross and net primary productivity of Pinus elliottii forest in subtropical China

In this study, the BIOME-BGC model, a biogeochemical model, was used and validated to estimate GPP (Gross Primary Productivity) and NPP (Net Primary Productivity) of Pinus elliottii forest in red soil hilly region and their responses to inter-annual climate variability during the period of 1993–2004 and climate change scenarios in the future. Results showed that the average total GPP and NPP were 1941 g C m^?2a^?1 and 695 g C m^?2a^?1, and GPP and NPP showed an increasing trend during the study period. The precipitation was the key factor controlling the GPP and NPP variation. Scenario analysis showed that doubled CO₂ concentration would not benefit for GPP and NPP with less than 1.5% decrease. When CO₂ concentration fixed, GPP responded positively to precipitation change only, and temperature increase by 1.5°C with precipitation increase, while NPP responded positively to precipitation change only. When CO₂ concentration was doubled and climate was changed, GPP and NPP responded positively to precipitation change, and GPP also responded positively to temperature increase by 1.5°C with precipitation change.     

Carbon accumulation and distribution in Pinus massoniana and Cunninghamia lanceolata mixed forest ecosystem in Daqingshan, Guangxi, China

Carbon accumulation and distribution were studied at three sampling plots in a 13-year-old mixed planatation of Pinus massoniana and Cunninghamia lanceolata in Daqingshan, Guangxi, China. The results showed that carbon content varied with tissues and tree species, but the total carbon content of Pinus massoniana was higher than that of Cunninghamia lanceolata. The average tissue carbon contents of Pinus massoniana were: wood (58.6%) > root (56.3%) > branch (51.2%) > bark (49.8%) > leaf (46.8%), while those of Cunninghamia lanceolata were: bark (52.2%) > leaf (51.8%) > wood (50.2%) > root (47.5%) > branch (46.7%). The carbon contents of the soil (at a depth of 60cm) ranged from 1.45% to 1.84% with an average of 1.70%. Carbon contents were higher in the surface soil (0–20cm) than in the deep layer (below 20cm). The average carbon contents were the highest for trees (51.1%), followed by litter (48.3%), shrubs (44.1%), and herbs (33.0%). The biomass of the trees in the three plots ranged from 85.35 t hm?2 to 101.35 t hm?2 with an average of 93.83 t hm^?2, in which 75.7%–82.6% was Pinus massoniana. The biomass of the understory was 2.10–3.95 t hm^?2 with an average of 2.72 t hm^?2, while the standing stock of ground litter was 5.49–7.91 t hm^?2 with an average of 6.75 t hm^?2. The carbon storage in the mixed plantation reached the maximum in the soil layer (69.02%), followed by vegetation (29.03%), and standing litter (1.82%). The carbon storage in the tree layer occupied 23.90% of the total ecosystem and 97.7% of the vegetation layer. Pinus massoniana accounted for 65.39% of the total carbon storage in the tree layer. Tissue carbon storage was directly related to the corresponding amount of biomass. Trunks had the highest carbon storage, accounting for 53.23% of the trees in Pinus massoniana and 55.57% in Cunninghamia lanceolata, respectively. Roots accounted for about 19.22% of the total tree carbon. The annual net productivity of the mixed plantation was 11.46 t hm?2a?1, and that of sequestered carbon was 5.96 t hm?2a?1, which was equivalent to fixing CO2 of 21.88 t hm?2a?1. The plantation was found to be an important sink of atmospheric CO₂.     

Carbon stock and allocation of five restoration ecosystems in subalpine coniferous forest zone in Western Sichuan Province, Southwest China

As the largest carbon pool of the terrestrial ecosystem, forest plays a key role in sequestrating and reserving greenhouse gases. With the method of replacing space with time, the typical restoration ecosystems of herb (dominated by Deyeuxia scabrescens, P1), shrub (dominated by Salix paraqplesia, P2), broadleaf (dominated by Betula platyphylla, P3), mixed forest (dominated by Betula spp. and Abies faxoniana, P4), and climax (dominated by Abies faxoniana, P5) were selected to quantify the carbon stock and allocation in the subalpine coniferous forest in Western Sichuan (SCFS). The results indicated that the soil organism carbon (SOC) stock decreased with the depth of soil layer, and the SOC per layer and the total SOC increased largely with the vegetation restoration. The contribution of SOC to the carbon stock of ecosystems decreased with the vegetation restoration from 89.45% to 27.06%, while the quantity was from 94.00 to 223.00 t C hm^?2. The carbon stock in ground cover increased with the vegetation restoration, and its contribution to the carbon stock of ecosystems was similar (3–4% of the total). Following the vegetation restoration, the plant carbon stock multiplied and reached to 430.86 ± 49.49 t C hm^?2 at the climax phase. During the restoration, the carbon stock of different layers increased, and the contribution of belowground to the carbon stock of ecosystems decreased sharply. The carbon stock on ecosystem scale of the climax phase was 5.89 times that of the herb phase. Our results highlighted that the vegetation restoration in SCFS was a large carbon sink.