Rotation age extension synergistically increases ecosystem carbon storage and timber production of Chinese fir plantations in southern China. (1st September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xiang, Wenhua; Xu, Li; Lei, Pifeng; Ouyang, Shuai; Deng, Xiangwen; Chen, Liang; Zeng, Yelin; Hu, Yanting; Zhao, Zhonghui; Wu, Huili; Zeng, Lixiong; Xiao, Wenfa
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 317(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-01
• Subjects: Carbon dynamic -- Ecosystem service -- Logistic model -- Soil carbon -- Stand age; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115426
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Afforestation is an effective method to increase carbon (C) sinks and address climate change. It is crucial to understand how the stand growth affects C sequestration capacity, especially when the trade-offs with timber production from plantations have not been fully examined. We used a chronosequence approach to estimate C storage in Chinese fir ( Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) plantations (including the trees, understory, litter, and soils) at seven stand ages (3, 8–11, 16, 21, 25, 29, and 32 years). Ecosystem C storage increased nonlinearly from 76.4 to 282.2 t ha −1 with stand age and was fitted with a logistic model that had a maximum C storage and age of 271.9 t ha −1 and 33 years, respectively, to reach 95% of the maximum stored C. The C increment was mainly contributed by an increase in tree biomass, which ranged from 2.8 to 177.7 t ha −1 and comprised 4–64% of the total ecosystem C. Live root C (sum of the stump, coarse, and fine root C) showed a logistic increase from 2.0 to 26.3 t ha −1 with stand age and constituted 2.5–9.3% of ecosystem C. Understory plants and litter represented a small pool (<2% of ecosystem C). The C storage in shrubs and litter slightly increased, while that in herbs decreased as the stands aged. Soil C storage was an important and relatively stable pool, ranging from 69.6 to 130.1 t ha −1 . Stand volume was also best fitted with a logistic model with a maximum value of 552.6 m 3 ha −1 . Additionally, the time needed to reach 95% of the maximum volume was 25 years. Hence, extending the rotation age to over 30 years for Chinese fir plantations could potentially maximize the synergistic benefits of C storage to mitigate climate change and obtain timber products for economic profit. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Chinese fir plantations have high carbon (C) sequestration capacity. Accumulation of ecosystem C was mainly contributed by increase in tree biomass C. Soil C storage remained relatively stable except for stand at age of 21 years. Rotation extension enhances ecosystem C storage and large-trees' timber production.