Subjects: Biology >> Botany >> Plant ecology, plant geography submitted time 2016-05-03
Abstract： 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 (22.91%) 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 indicates 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.
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Subjects: Biology >> Botany >> Plant ecology, plant geography submitted time 2016-05-03
Abstract： Aims To clarify the status of the carbon storage of forest ecosystem at different ages in Anhui Province, and to identify the maximum carbon sequestration potential of climax forest controlled by current natural environment conditions. Methods Field investigation method and BIOME4 model. Important findings At present, the total carbon storage of forests in Anhui Province is 714.5 Tg C, including 402.1 Tg C in vegetation and 312.4 Tg C in soil. Generally, the total and vegetation carbon density always present an increasing trend in the natural growth process of forest ecosystems in Anhui Province. Soil carbon density increases at the periods from young to near mature forests, but decreases gradually after near mature forest. Young and middle-aged forests account for 75% of the total forests area in Anhui Province, and there will be a potential additional carbon of 125.4 Tg C in case of young and middle-aged forests developing to near mature stand stage. Results from BIOME4 simulation showed that there will be a potential additional carbon of 245.7 Tg C (i.e. total carbon sequestration), including vegetation carbon sequestration of 153.7 Tg C, and soil carbon sequestration of 92 Tg C if forests develop to climax forest ecosystems in Anhui Province.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
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