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Carbon storage in biomass, litter, and soil of different plantations in a semiarid temperate region of northwest China

  • Original Paper
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Annals of Forest Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

• Context

A large area of abandoned land in the semiarid temperate region of China has been converted into plantations over the past decades. However, little information is available about the ecosystem C storage in different plantations.

• Aim and methods

Our objective was to estimate the C storage in biomass, litter, and soil of four different plantations (monospecific stands of Larix gmelinii, Pinus tabuliformis, Picea crassifolia, and Populus simonii). Tree component biomass was estimated using allometric equations. The biomasses of understory vegetation and litter were determined by harvesting all the components. C fractions of plant, litter, and soil were measured.

• Results

The ecosystem C storage were as follows: Picea crassifolia (469 t C/ha) > Larix gmelinii (375 t C/ha), Populus simonii (330 t C/ha) > Pinus tabuliformis (281 t C/ha) (P < 0.05), 59.5–91.1 % of which was in the soil. The highest tree and understory C storage were found in the plantation of Pinus tabuliformis (247 t/ha) and Larix gmelinii (1.2 t/ha) respectively. The difference in tree C fraction was significant among tree components (P < 0.05), following the order: leaf > branch > trunk > root. The highest soil C (SC) was stored in Picea crassifolia plantation (411 t C/ha), while Populus simonii plantation had a higher SC sequestration rate than others.

• Conclusion

C storage and distribution varied among different plantation ecosystems. Coniferous forests had a higher live biomass and litter C storage. Broadleaf forests had considerable SC sequestration potential after 40 years establishment.

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Funding

Financial support for this research came from the CAS “Strategic Priority Research Program-Climate Change: Carbon Budget and Relevant” (XDA05050202), the State Forestry Bureau Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest (200904056) and the National Key Laboratory Fund (10502-Z8).

Contribution of the co-authors

Yang Gao: measuring the samples, running data analysis and writing the paper. Jimin Cheng: supervising the work. Zhengrui Ma, Yu Zhao and Jishuai Su: collecting the samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Yang Gao, Jimin Cheng & Jishuai Su

  2. Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, 26 Xinong Road, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, People’s Republic of China

    Jimin Cheng & Zhengrui Ma

  3. College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Yu Zhao

Authors
  1. Yang Gao
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  2. Jimin Cheng
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  3. Zhengrui Ma
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  4. Yu Zhao
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  5. Jishuai Su
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jimin Cheng.

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Handling Editor: Shuqing Zhao

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Gao, Y., Cheng, J., Ma, Z. et al. Carbon storage in biomass, litter, and soil of different plantations in a semiarid temperate region of northwest China. Annals of Forest Science 71, 427–435 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-013-0355-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-013-0355-z

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