Aboveground carbon sequestration of Cunninghamia lanceolata forests:Magnitude and drivers

Understanding the spatial variation,temporal changes,and their underlying driving forces of carbon sequestration in various forests is of great importance for understanding the carbon cycle and carbon management options.How carbon density and sequestration in various Cunninghamia lanceolata forests,extensively cultivated for timber production in subtropical China,vary with biodiversity,forest structure,environment,and cultural factors remain poorly explored,presenting a critical knowledge gap for realizing carbon sequestration supply potential through management.Based on a large-scale database of 449 permanent forest inventory plots,we quantified the spatial-temporal heterogeneity of aboveground carbon densities and carbon accumulation rates in Cunninghamia lanceolate forests in Hunan Province,China,and attributed the contributions of stand structure,environmental,and management factors to the heterogeneity using quantile age-sequence analysis,partial least squares path modeling(PLS-PM),and hot-spot analysis.The results showed lower values of carbon density and sequestration on average,in comparison with other forests in the same climate zone(i.e.,subtropics),with pronounced spatial and temporal variability.Specifically,quantile regression analysis using carbon accumulation rates along an age sequence showed large differences in carbon sequestration rates among underperformed and outperformed forests(0.50 and 1.80 Mg·ha^(-1)·yr^(-1)).PLS-PM demonstrated that maximum DBH and stand density were the main crucial drivers of aboveground carbon density from young to mature forests.Furthermore,species diversity and geotopographic factors were the significant factors causing the large discrepancy in aboveground carbon density change between low-and high-carbon-bearing forests.Hotspot analysis revealed the importance of culture attributes in shaping the geospatial patterns of carbon sequestration.Our work highlighted that retaining largesized DBH trees and increasing shade-tolerant tree species were important to enhance carbon sequestration in C.lanceolate forests.

Hydrocarbon accumulation and orderly distribution of whole petroleum system in marine carbonate rocks of Sichuan Basin,SW China

Based on the situation and progress of marine oil/gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin,SW China,the whole petroleum system is divided for marine carbonate rocks of the basin according to the combinations of hydrocarbon accumulation elements,especially the source rock.The hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics of each whole petroleum system are analyzed,the patterns of integrated conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon accumulation are summarized,and the favorable exploration targets are proposed.Under the control of multiple extensional-convergent tectonic cycles,the marine carbonate rocks of the Sichuan Basin contain three sets of regional source rocks and three sets of regional cap rocks,and can be divided into the Cambrian,Silurian and Permian whole petroleum systems.These whole petroleum systems present mainly independent hydrocarbon accumulation,containing natural gas of affinity individually.Locally,large fault zones run through multiple whole petroleum systems,forming a fault-controlled complex whole petroleum system.The hydrocarbon accumulation sequence of continental shelf facies shale gas accumulation,marginal platform facies-controlled gas reservoirs,and intra-platform fault-and facies-controlled gas reservoirs is common in the whole petroleum system,with a stereoscopic accumulation and orderly distribution pattern.High-quality source rock is fundamental to the formation of large gas fields,and natural gas in a whole petroleum system is generally enriched near and within the source rocks.The development and maintenance of large-scale reservoirs are essential for natural gas enrichment,multiple sources,oil and gas transformation,and dynamic adjustment are the characteristics of marine petroleum accumulation,and good preservation conditions are critical to natural gas accumulation.Large-scale marginal-platform reef-bank facies zones,deep shale gas,and large-scale lithological complexes related to source-connected faults are future marine hydrocarbon exploration targets in the Sichuan Basin.

Age-related Changes of Carbon Accumulation and Allocation in Plants and Soil of Black Locust Forest on Loess Plateau in Ansai County, Shaanxi Province of China

The effects of reforestation on carbon （C） sequestration in China＇s Loess Plateau ecosystem have attracted much research attention in recent years. Black locust trees （Robinia pseudoacacia L.） are valued for their important use in reforestation and water and soil conservation efforts. This forest type is widespread across the Loess Plateau, and must he an essential component of any planning for C sequestration efforts in this fragile ecological region. The long-term effects of stand age on C accumulation and allocation after reforestation remains uncertain. We examined an age-sequence of black locust forest （5, 9, 20, 30, 38, and 56 yr since planting） on the Loess Plateau to evaluate C accumulation and allocation in plants （trees, shrubs, herbages, and leaf litter） and soil （0-100 cm）. Allometric equations were developed for estimating the biomass of tree components （leaf, branch, stem without bark, bark and root） with a de- structive sampling method. Our results demonstrated that black locust forest ecosystem accumulated C constantly, from 31.42 Mg C/ha （1 Mg = 106 g） at 5 yr to 79.44 Mg C/haat 38 yr. At the ＇old forest＇ stage （38 to 56 yr）, the amount of C in plant biomass significantly decreased （from 45.32 to 34.52 Mg C/ha） due to the high mortality of trees. However, old forest was able to accumulate C continuously in soil （from 33.66 to 41.00 Mg C/ha）. The C in shrub biomass increased with stand age, while the C stock in the herbage layer and leaf litter was age-independent. Reforestation resulted in C re-allocation in the forest soil. The topsoil （0-20 cm） C stock increased constantly with stand age. However, C storage in sub-top soil, in the 20-30, 30-50, 50-100, and 20-100 cm layers, was age-independent. These results suggest that succession, as a temporal factor, plays a key role in C accumulation and re-allocation in black locust forests and also in regional C dynamics in vegetation.

Dynamic analysis on carbon accumulation of a plantation in Qianyanzhou based on tree ring data

The authors developed a model to estimate annual tree growth based on tree-ring data (Abbr. TGTRing model) derived from the trunk at 0.5,1.3 and 2.5 m height. This model was applied to estimate the annual biomass and carbon accumulation of a plantation in Qianyanzhou Red-Soil Hill Comprehensive Development Experimental Station of CAS in Taihe County,Jiangxi Province (Abbr. Qianyanzhou). The results showed that the inflexion points of the biomass and carbon accumulation curves occur at 17 and 18 years of age,respectively,in masson pine,whilst both inflexion points occurred at 15 years in slash pine and Chinese fir. The biomass and carbon accumulation in Chinese fir proved to be greater in the last 20 years than in the other species,with 171.697 t/hm2 and 92.29 tc/hm2,respectively. masson pine,with a biomass of 133.84 t/hm2 and a carbon accumulation of 73.92 tc/hm2 was the lowest whilst slash pine was intermediate with a biomass of 147.639 t/hm2 (unturpentined) and 135.743 t/hm2 (turpentined),and a carbon accumulation of 80.18 tc/hm2 (unturpentined) and 73.72 tc/hm2 (turpentined). In 2006,the total biomass and carbon storage of the tree stratum of masson pine in Qianyanzhou was 3324.43 t and 14,156.64 tc,respectively,whilst the values for Chinese fir were 1326.97 t and 713.27 tc. For slash pine the total biomass was 14,156.64 t (unturpentined) and 13,015.97 t (turpentined),and the total carbon storage was 7 688.21 tc (unturpentined) and 7068.78 tc (turpentined). Following the shaving of slash pine for resin,the total biomass was reduced by 1140.67 t and the total carbon storage fell by 619.43 tc.

Effects of Caragana microphylla plantations on organic carbon sequestration in total and labile soil organic carbon fractions in the Horqin Sandy Land, northern China

Afforestation is conducive to soil carbon（C） sequestration in semi-arid regions. However, little is known about the effects of afforestation on sequestrations of total and labile soil organic carbon（SOC） fractions in semi-arid sandy lands. In the present study, we examined the effects of Caragana microphylla Lam. plantations with different ages（12-and 25-year-old） on sequestrations of total SOC as well as labile SOC fractions such as light fraction organic carbon（LFOC） and microbial biomass carbon（MBC）. The analyzed samples were taken from soil depths of 0–5 and 5–15 cm under two shrub-related scenarios： under shrubs and between shrubs with moving sand dunes as control sites in the Horqin Sandy Land of northern China. The results showed that the concentrations and storages of total SOC at soil depths of 0–5 and 5–15 cm were higher in 12-and 25-year-old C. microphylla plantations than in moving sand dunes（i.e., control sites）, with the highest value observed under shrubs in 25-year-old C. microphylla plantations. Furthermore, the concentrations and storages of LFOC and MBC showed similar patterns with those of total SOC at the same soil depth. The 12-year-old C. microphylla plantations had higher percentages of LFOC concentration to SOC concentration and MBC concentration to SOC concentration than the 25-year-old C. microphylla plantations and moving sand dunes at both soil depths. A significant positive correlation existed among SOC, LFOC, and MBC, implying that restoring the total and labile SOC fractions is possible by afforestation with C. microphylla shrubs in the Horqin Sandy Land. At soil depth of 0–15 cm, the accumulation rate of total SOC under shrubs was higher in young C. microphylla plantations（18.53 g C/（m^2·a）; 0–12 years） than in old C. microphylla plantations（16.24 g C/（m^2·a）; 12–25 years）, and the accumulation rates of LFOC and MBC under shrubs and between shrubs were also higher in young C. microphylla plantations than in old C. microphylla plantations. It can be concluded that the establishment of C. microphylla in the Horqin Sandy Land may be a good mitigation strategy for SOC sequestration in the surface soils.

Effects of astronomical orbital cycle and volcanic activity on organic carbon accumulation during Late Ordovician–Early Silurian in the Upper Yangtze area, South China

Based on field outcrop data,the effects of cyclic change of astronomical orbit and volcanic activity on organic carbon accumulation during the Late Ordovician-Early Silurian in the Upper Yangtze area were studied using cyclostratigraphic and geochemical methods.d13 C and chemical index of alteration(CIA)were used to filter the astronomical orbit parameters recorded in sediments.It is found that the climate change driven by orbital cycle controls the fluctuations of sea level at different scales,obliquity forcing climate changes drive thermohaline circulation(THC)of the ocean,and THC-induced bottom currents transport nutrient-laden water from high latitude regions to the surface water of low-latitude area.Hence,THC is the main dynamic mechanism of organic-carbon supply.The marine productivity indexes of Ba/Al and Ni/Al indicate that volcanic activities had limited effect on marine productivity but had great influences on organic carbon preservation efficiency in late Hirnantian(E4).Paleo-ocean redox environmental indicators Th/U,V/Cr and V/(V+Ni)show that there is a significant correlation between volcanism and oxygen content in Paleo-ocean,so it is inferred that volcanisms controlled the organic carbon preservation efficiency by regulating oxygen content in Paleo-ocean,and the difference in volcanism intensity in different areas is an important factor for the differential preservation efficiency of organic carbon.The organic carbon input driven by orbital cycle and the preservation efficiency affected by volcanisms worked together to control the enrichment of organic carbon in the Middle–Upper Yangtze region.

Distribution and Accumulation of Soil Carbon in Temperate Wetland, Northeast China

Estimating carbon sequestration and nutrient accumulation rates in Northeast China are important to assess wetlands function as carbon sink buffering greenhouse gas increasing in North Asia. The objectives of this study were to estimate accreting rates of carbon and nutrients in typical temperate wetlands. Results indicated that average soil organic carbon(SOC), total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorus(TP) contents were 37.81%, 1.59% and 0.08% in peatlands, 5.33%, 0.25% and 0.05% in marshes, 2.92%, 0.27% and 0.10% in marshy meadows, respectively. Chronologies reconstructed by 210 Pb in the present work were acceptable and reliable, and the average time to yield 0–40 cm depth sediment cores was 150 years. Average carbon sequestration rate(Carbonsq), nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation rates were 219.4 g C/(m^2·yr), 9.16 g N/(m^2·yr) and 0.46 g P/(m^2·yr) for peatland; 57.13 g C/(m^2·yr), 5.42 g N/(m^2·yr) and 2.16 g P/(m^2·yr) for marshy meadow; 78.35 g C/(m^2·yr), 8.70 g N/(m^2·yr) and 0.71 g P/(m2·yr) for marshy; respectively. Positive relations existed between Carbonsq with nitrogen and precipitations, indicating that Carbonsq might be strengthened in future climate scenarios.

Carbon Accumulation in a Humid Temperate Prairie Pasture Following Abandonment and Afforestation

Carbon budget changes were measured on a farm near Robinson, Texas, where land originally tilled for hay production was abandoned over time periods of 10, 20, and 35 years followed by succession of prairie and forest vegetation. Woody biomass accumulation increased following abandonment from 0.14 kg C m2 yr~ during forest initiation to 0.57 kg C m2 yr-1 of the mature forest Soil carbon was highest in the tilled field （ 15.77 kg C m2） with lowest in the grassland （ 11.66 kg C m-2）. Soil nitrogen was highest in the tilled field （0.55 kg N ms） and lowest in the forest transition （0.38 kg N m2）. Soil C：N ratios were highest in the forest transition （C：N=36） and lowest in the grassland （C：N=22）. Soil respiration was constant across the site with an annual average value of 1.46 kg CO2-C m-2 yr-. Results show that land in this region may be a source of carbon for several decades following abandonment due to enhanced soil carbon emissions as a function of nutrient input shifts.

Carbon accumulations by stock change approach in tropical highland forests of Chiapas, Mexico

Changes in forest biomass and soil organic carbon reserves have strong links to atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.Human activities such as livestock grazing,forest fires,selective logging and firewood extraction are the common disturbances that affect the carbon dynamics of the forest ecosystems.Here,we hypothesized that such anthropogenic activities significantly reduce the carbon stocks and accumulation rates in the tropical highland forests of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas in Southern Mexico.We sampled the Pinus oocarpa Scheide dominated forests within the elevation range of 900 to 1100 m above sea level in 2010,2014 and 2017.We measured the stand structural properties and used the reported allometric equations to calculate the tree carbon stocks.Stock change approach was used to calculate carbon accumulation rates.The results showed a gradual increase in carbon storage over the 7-year period from 2010 to 2017,but the rate of increase varied significantly between the study sites.The aboveground carbon stock was 107.25±11.77 Mg ha-1 for the site with lower anthropogenic intensity,compared to 74.29±16.85 Mg ha-1 for the site with higher intensity.The current annual increment for the forest with lower anthropogenic intensity was 7.81±0.65 Mg ha-1 a-1,compared to 3.87±1.03 Mg ha-1 a-1 in the site with high anthropogenic intensity.Although at varying rates,these forests are functioning as important carbon sinks.The results on carbon accumulation rates have important implications in greenhouse gas mitigations and forest change modelling in the context of changing global climate.

Spatiotemporal variations in the organic carbon accumulation rate in mangrove sediments from the Yingluo Bay,China,since 1900

Mangroves can not only provide multiple ecosystem service functions,but are also efficient carbon producers,capturers,and sinks.The estimation of the organic carbon accumulation rate(OCAR)in mangrove sediments is fundamental for elucidating the role of mangroves in the global carbon budget.In particular,understanding the past changes in the OCAR in mangrove sediments is vital for predicting the future role of mangroves in the rapidly changing environment.In this study,three dated sediment cores from interior and fringe of mangroves in the Yingluo Bay,China,were used to reconstruct the spatiotemporal variations of the calculated OCAR since 1900 in this area.The increasing OCAR in the mangrove interior was attributed to mangrove flourishment induced by climate change characterized by the rising temperature.However,in the mangrove fringe,the strengthening hydrodynamic conditions under the sea level rise were responsible for the decreasing OCAR,particularly after the1940 s.Furthermore,the duration of inundation by seawater was the primary factors controlling the spatial variability of the OCAR from the mangrove fringe to interior,while the strengthened hydrodynamic conditions after the 1940 s broke this original pattern.

The Research on Carbon Accumulation of Grassland Ecological System in China

This article mainly introduced the research progress of the carbon accumulation on grassland ecological system, which is under the condition of the carbon cycle and the climate change in China. And in carbon cycle and the carbon storage on the terrestrial ecosystem, the author also analyzed the status and functions of the Chinese grassland ecological system. Based on the evaluation of the primary productivity, soil organic carbon and dry falling objects, herding utilization, the grass reclamation and other factors that affect carbon accumulation on grassland ecological system, the author then put forward the primal problems and the prospect of the research on China＇s carbon accumulation of grassland ecological system. The future of carbon stock volume in grassland ecosystem in China has great potential, the fixed carbon content is about 152 Tg/a, far more than the United States, Canada, Russia and other countries.

Effects of continuous nitrogen addition on microbial properties and soil organic matter in a Larix gmelinii plantation in China

Continuous increases in anthropogenic nitrogen（N） deposition are likely to change soil microbial properties, and ultimately to affect soil carbon（C） storage.Temperate plantation forests play key roles in C sequestration, yet mechanisms underlying the influences of N deposition on soil organic matter accumulation are poorly understood. This study assessed the effect of N addition on soil microbial properties and soil organic matter distribution in a larch（Larix gmelinii） plantation. In a 9-year experiment in the plantation, N was applied at100 kg N ha-1 a-1 to study the effects on soil C and N mineralization, microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and C and N in soil organic matter density fractions, and organic matter chemistry. The results showed that N addition had no influence on C and N contents in whole soil. However,soil C in different fractions responded to N addition differently. Soil C in light fractions did not change with N addition, while soil C in heavy fractions increased significantly. These results suggested that more soil C in heavy fractions was stabilized in the N-treated soils. However,microbial biomass C and N and phenol oxidase activity decreased in the N-treated soils and thus soil C increased in heavy fractions. Although N addition reduced microbial biomass and phenol oxidase activity, it had little effect on soil C mineralization, hydrolytic enzyme activities, d13 C value in soil and C–H stretch, carboxylates and amides, and C–O stretch in soil organic matter chemistry measured by Fourier transform infrared spectra. We conclude that N addition（1） altered microbial biomass and activity without affecting soil C in light fractions and（2） resulted in an increase in soil C in heavy fractions and that this increase was controlled by phenol oxidase activity and soil N availability.

Identification of Milankovitch Cycles and Calculation of Net Primary Productivity of Paleo-peatlands using Geophysical Logs of Coal Seams

Individual coal seams formed in paleo-peatlands represent sustained periods of terrestrial carbon accumulation and a key environmental indicator attributed to this record is the rate of carbon accumulation.Determining the rate of carbon accumulation requires a measure of time contained within the coal.This study aimed to determine this rate via the identification of Milankovitch orbital cycles in the coals.The geophysical log is an ideal paleoclimate proxy and has been widely used in the study of sedimentary records using spectral analysis.Spectral analyses of geophysical log from thick coal seams can be used to identify the Milankovitch cycles and to calculate the period of the coal deposition.By considering the carbon loss during coalification,the long-term average carbon accumulation rate and net primary productivity(NPP)of paleo-peatlands in coal seams can be obtained.This review paper presents the procedures of analysis,assessment of results and interpretation of geophysical logs in determining the NPP of paleo-peatlands.

Deepwater Ventilation and Stratification in the Neogene South China Sea

Combined data of physical property, benthic foraminifera, and stable isotopes from ODP Sites 1148, 1146, and 1143 are used to discuss deep water evolution in the South China Sea （SCS） since the Early Miocene. The results indicate that 3 lithostratigraphic units, respectively corresponding to 21-17 Ma, 15-10 Ma, and 10-5 Ma with positive red parameter （a^＊） marking the red brown sediment color represent 3 periods of deep water ventilation. The first 2 periods show a closer link to contemporary production of the Antarctic Bottom Water （AABW） and Northern Component Water（NCW）, indicating a free connection of deep waters between the SCS and the open ocean before 10 Ma.After 10 Ma, red parameter dropped but stayed higher than the modern value （a^＊=0）, the CaCO3 percentage difference between Site 1148 from a lower deepwater setting and Site 1146 from an upper deepwater setting enlarged significantly, and benthic species which prefer oxygen-rich bottom conditions dramatically decreased. Coupled with a major negative excursion of benthic δ^13Cat ～10 Ma,these parameters may denote a weakening in the control of the SCS deep water by the open ocean.Probably they mark the birth of a local deep water due to shallow waterways or rise of sill depths during the course of sea basin closing from south to east by the west-moving Philippine Arc after the end of SCS seafloor spreading at 16-15 Ma. However, it took another 5 Ma before the dissolved oxygen approached close to the modern level. Although the oxygen level continued to stabilize, several Pacific Bottom Water （PBW） and Pacific Deep Water （PDW） marker species rapidly increased since ～6 Ma,followed by a dramatic escalation in planktonic fragmentation which indicates high dissolution especially after ～5 Ma. The period of 5-3 Ma saw the strongest stratified deepwater in the then SCS, as indicated by up to 40﹪ CaCO3 difference between Sites 1148 and 1146. Apart from a strengthening PDW as a result of global cooling and ice cap buildup on northern high latitudes, a deepening sea basin due to stronger subduction eastward may also have triggered the influx of more corrosive waters from the deep western Pacific. Since 3 Ma, the evolution of the SCS deep water entered a modern phase, as characterized by relative stable 10﹪ CaCO3 difference between the two sites and increase in infaunal benthic species which prefer a low oxygenated environment. The subsequent reduction of PBW and PDW marker species at about 1.2 Ma and 0.9 Ma and another significant negative excursion of benthic δ^13Cto a Neogene minimum at ～0.9 Ma together convey a clear message that the PBW largely disappeared and the PDW considerably weakened in the Mid-Pleistocene SCS. Therefore, the true modern mode SCS deep water started to form only during the ＂Mid-Pleistocene climatic transition＂ probably due to the rise of sill depths under the Bashi Strait.

Evaluating the Tree Population Density and Its Impacts in CLM-DGVM

Vegetation population dynamics play an essential role in shaping the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems. However, large uncertainties remain in the parameterizations of population dynamics in current Dynamic Global Vegetation Models （DGVMs）. In this study, the global distribution and probability density functions of tree population densities in the revised Community Land Model-Dynamic Global Vegetation Model （CLM-DGVM） were evaluated, and the impacts of population densities on ecosystem characteristics were investigated. The results showed that the model predicted unrealistically high population density with small individual size of tree PFTs （Plant Punetional Types） in boreal forests, as well as peripheral areas of tropical and temperate forests. Such biases then led to the underestimation of forest carbon storage and incorrect carbon allocation among plant leaves, stems and root pools, and hence predicted shorter time scales for the building/recovering of mature forests. These results imply that further improvements in the parameterizations of population dynamics in the model are needed in order for the model to correctly represent the response of ecosystems to climate change.

Extensive carbon cycle between peatland and vegetation:Insights from high net primary productivity of the Middle Jurassic in northwestern China

Peatlands have obvious carbon storage capacity and are crucial in mitigating global climate change.As the end-product of peatlands,coals have preserved a large amount of palaeoenvironmental information.The carbon accumulation rate and the net primary productivity(NPP)of coal-forming peatlands can be used as proxies for recovering palaeoenvironments.A super-thick coal seam(42°35'N,91°25'E)was developed in the Middle Jurassic Xishanyao Formation in the Shaerhu coalfield in the southern margin of the Tuha(Turpan-Hami)Basin,northwestern China.In this study,we use the time series analysis to identify the periods of Milankovitch orbital cycles in the Gamma-ray curve of this super-thick(124.85 m)coal and then use the obtained cycle periods of 405 ka,173 ka,44 ka,37.6 ka,22.5 ka to calculate the timeframe of the coalforming peatlands which ranges from 2703.44 to 2975.11 ka.Considering that the carbon content of the coal seam is 78.32%and the carbon loss during the coalification is about 25.80%,the carbon accumulation rate of the targeted coal seam is estimated to be 58.47-64.34 g C/m^(2)·a,and the NPP is estimated to be252.28-277.63 g C/m^(2)·a.The main palaeoenvironmental factors controlling the NPP of peatlands are CO_(2)content,palaeolatitude and palaeotemperature.The reduced NPP values of the palaeo-peatlands in the Shaerhu coalfield can be attributed to the mid-palaeolatitude and/or too low atmospheric CO_(2)contents.To a certain extent,the NPP of palaeo-peatlands reflects the changes in atmospheric CO_(2),which can further reveal the dynamic response of the global carbon cycle to climate change.Therefore,predicting the level of NPP in the Middle Jurassic and studying the final destination of carbon in the ecosystem are beneficial to understanding the coal-forming process and palaeoenvironment.

Wheat ear carbon assimilation and nitrogen remobilization contribute significantly to grain yield

The role of wheat ears as a source of nitrogen （N） and carbon （C） in the grain filling process has barely been studied. To resolve this question, five wheat genotypes were labeled with 15N-enriched nutrient solution. N remobilization and absorption were estimated via the nitrogen isotope composition of total organic matter and Rubisco. Gas exchange analyses showed that ear photosynthesis contributed substantially to grain filling in spite of the great loss of C due to respiration. Of the total kernel N, 64.7% was derived from the N acquired between sowing and anthesis, while the remaining 35.3% was derived from the N acquired between anthesis and maturity. In addition, 1.87 times more N was remobilized to the developing kernel from the ear than from the flag leaf. The higher yielding genotypes showed an increased N remobflization to the kernel compared to the lower yielding genotypes. In addition, the higher yielding genotypes remobilized more N from the ears to the kernel than the lower yielding genotypes, while the lower yielding genotypes remobilized more N from the flag leaf to the kernel. Therefore, the ears contribute significantly toward fulfilling C and N demands during grain filling.

Organic carbon accumulation capability of two typical tidal wetland soils in Chongming Dongtan,China

We measured organic carbon input and content of soil in two wetland areas of Chongming Dongtan （Yangtze River Estuary） to evaluate variability in organic carbon accumulation capability in different wetland soils. Observed differences were investigated based on the microbial activity and environmental factors of the soil at the two sites. Results showed that the organic carbon content of wetland soil vegetated with Phragmites australis （site A） was markedly lower than that with P. australis and Spartina alterniflora （site B）. Sites differences were due to higher microbial activity at site A, which led to higher soil respiration intensity and greater carbon outputs. This indicated that the capability of organic carbon accumulation of the site B soils was greater than at site A. In addition, petroleum pollution and soil salinity were different in the two wetland soils. After bio-remediation, the soil petroleum pollution at site B was reduced to a similar level of site A. However, the culturable microbial biomass and enzyme activity in the remediated soils were also lower than at site A. These results indicated that greater petroleum pollution at site B did not markedly inhibit soil microbial activity. Therefore, differences in vegetation type and soil salinity were the primary factors responsible for the variation in microbial activity, organic carbon output and organic carbon accumulation capability between site A and site B.

Early positive effects of tree species richness on soil organic carbon accumulation in a large-scale forest biodiversity experiment

Aims tree species richness has been reported to have positive effects on aboveground biomass and productivity,but little is known about its effects on soil organic carbon(SOC)accumulation.Methods to close this gap,we made use of a large biodiversity-ecosystem functioning experiment in subtropical china(BEF-china)and tested whether tree species richness enhanced SOC accumulation.In 2010 and 2015,vertically layered soil samples were taken to a depth of 30 cm from 57 plots ranging in tree species richness from one to eight species.Least squares-based linear models and analysis of variance were used to investigate tree diversity effects.Structural equation modeling was used to explore hypothesized indirect relationships between tree species richness,leaf-litter biomass,leaf-litter carbon content,fine-root biomass and SOC accumulation.Important Findings Overall,SOC content decreased by 5.7 and 1.1 g C kg^(-1) in the top 0-5 and 5-10 cm soil depth,respectively,but increased by 1.0 and 1.5 g C kg^(-1) in the deeper 10-20 and 20-30 cm soil depth,respect-ively.converting SOC content to SOC stocks using measures of soil bulk density showed that tree species richness did enhance SOC accumulation in the different soil depths.these effects could only to some extent be explained by leaf-litter biomass and not by fine-root biomass.Our findings suggest that carbon storage in new forests in china could be increased by planting more diverse stands,with the potential to contribute to mitigation of climate warming.

Blue carbon sequestration following mangrove restoration:evidence from a carbon neutral case in China

Sequestration of blue carbon(C)in mangrove plantations depends on site characteristics and plantation management.This study evaluated the effects of plantation management on C sequestration at a C-neutral site in Xiamen,China.A field study was conducted on 10-year-old Sonneratia apetala and Kandelia obovata plantations(mono-Sa,mono-Ko)and a 15-year-old mixed plantation-.We found that mono-Ko had a significantly higher ecosystem C sequestration rate(3.32±0.62 kg C m^(-2)yr^(-1))than others when planted in the indirect shade of pioneer species.As a non-native species,Sonneratia performed better(0.57±0.01 kg C m^(-2)yr^(-1))when planted with Kandelia than in monotypic plantations.The temporary and long-term certified emission reduction(tCER and lCER)of the 12.98 ha mono-Ko was 4103.89 and 3693.50 net CO_(2)-e within 10 years,respectively.A literature review was conducted to show the compatibility of this study with other natural and plantation sites of China and Bangladesh(the native habitat for Sonneratia).The C sequestration of Sonneratia plantation sites in China is comparable with those in Bangladesh.However,the soil C accumulation rate for a Sonneratia monotypic plantation in Bangladesh decreased with age,yet the same did not occur in the plantations of China.