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Soil carbon dynamics in successional and plantation forests in subtropical China

  • 2015 International Symposium on Forest Soils
  • Published:
Journal of Soils and Sediments Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to better understand how both the content and flux of soil carbon respond to forest succession and anthropogenic management practices in forests in subtropical China.

Materials and methods

We assembled from the literature information on soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil respiration (Rs) covering the forest successional chronosequence from pioneer masson pine (Pinus massoniana) forest (MPF) to medium broadleaf and needleleaf mixed forest (BNMF) and the climax evergreen broadleaf forest (EBF), along with the two major forest plantation types found in subtropical China, Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) forest (CFF) and Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forest (MBF).

Results and discussion

Both SOC and Rs increased along the forest successional gradient with the climax EBF having both the highest SOC content of 33.1 ± 4.9 g C kg−1(mean ± standard error) and the highest Rs rate of 46.8 ± 3.0 t CO2 ha−1 year−1. It can be inferred that when EBF is converted to any of the other forest types, especially to MPF or CFF, both SOC content and Rs are likely to decline. Stand age did not significantly impact the SOC content or Rs rate in either types of plantation.

Conclusions

Forest succession generally increases SOC content and Rs, and the conversion of natural forests to plantations decreases SOC content and Rs in subtropical China.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (31270517, 31470529) and Zhejiang A & F University Research and Development Fund (2010FR097).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbon Cycling in Forest Ecosystems and Carbon Sequestration, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin’an, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 311300, China

    Xinzhang Song, Guomo Zhou & Hailong Wang

  2. Scion, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua, 3046, New Zealand

    Mark O. Kimberley

  3. Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin’an, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 311300, China

    Hailong Wang

Authors
  1. Xinzhang Song
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  2. Mark O. Kimberley
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  3. Guomo Zhou
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  4. Hailong Wang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hailong Wang.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Zhihong Xu

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Song, X., Kimberley, M.O., Zhou, G. et al. Soil carbon dynamics in successional and plantation forests in subtropical China. J Soils Sediments 17, 2250–2256 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-016-1421-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-016-1421-6

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