The effects of multiple environmental factors on global carbon allocation

Background The allocation of photosynthate among the parts of plants(e.g.,leaves,wood tissues and roots)strongly regulates their growth,and this conditions the terrestrial carbon cycle.Recent studies have shown that atmospheric CO_(2)and climate change dominate the changes in carbon allocation in plants,but the magnitude and mechanism of its effects remain unclear.Methods The Community Atmosphere Biosphere Land Exchange(CABLE)model can accurately simulate the responses of carbon allocation to environmental changes.This study quantifies the contributions of four environmental factors-atmospheric CO_(2),temperature,precipitation,and radiation-on resource availability and carbon allocation from 1979 to 2014 by using the CABLE model.Results The results of the CABLE model showed that rising CO_(2)significantly reduced carbon allocation to the leaves of plants at a global scale,but the other three environmental factors exhibited contrasting effects that dominated the rise in carbon allocation to the leaves.The increased precipitation and CO_(2)significantly reduced the light availability and increased carbon allocation to the wooden parts of plants.By contrast,the rising temperature reduced the water availability,resulting in a decrease in carbon allocation to the wooden parts.All four environmental factors consistently exhibited negative effects on carbon allocation to the roots,with rising precipitation causing the largest reduction in carbon allocation to them.Moreover,except for CO_(2),the effects of the other three environmental factors were heterogeneous owing to their variable interactions in different regions.Conclusions The CABLE model can accurately represent the mechanisms of response of resource availability and carbon allocation to environmental changes.Our study highlights the substantial environmental regulation of global carbon allocation.The responses of carbon allocation to global environmental changes need to be extensively studied through ecosystem models based on different hypotheses.

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.

Ecosystem Carbon Allocation of a Temperate Mixed Forest and a Subtropical Evergreen Forest in China

Ecosystem carbon allocation can indicate ecosystem carbon cycling visually through its quantification within different carbon pools and carbon exchange.Using the ecological inventory and eddy covariance measurement applied to both a mature temperate mixed forest in Changbai Mountain (CBM)and a mature subtropical evergreen forest in Dinghu Mountain (DHM),we partitioned the ecosystem carbon pool and carbon exchange into different components,determined the allocation and analyzed relationships within those components.Generally, the total carbon stock of CBM was slightly higher than that of DHM due to a higher carbon stock in the arbor layer at CBM.It was interesting that the proportions of carbon stock in vegetation,soil and litter were similar for the two mature forests.The ratio of vegetation carbon pool to soil carbon stock was 1.5 at CBM and 1.3 at DHM.However, more carbon was allocated to the trunk and root from the vegetation carbon pool at CBM,while more carbon was allocated to foliage and branches at DHM.Moreover,77% of soil carbon storage was limited to the surface soil layer (0-20cm),while there was still plentiful carbon stored in the deeper soil layers at DHM.The root/shoot ratios were 0.30 and 0.25 for CBM and DHM,respectively.The rates of net ecosystem productivity (NPP)to gross ecosystem productivity (GPP)were 0.76 and 0.58,and the ratios of ecosystem respiration (Re)to GPP were 0.98and 0.87for CBM and DHM,respectively.The net ecosystem carbon exchange/productivity (NEP)was 0.24t C ha^-1 yr^-1 for CBM and 3.38t C ha^-1 yr^-1 for DHM.Due to the common seasonal and inter-annual variations of ecosystem carbon exchange resulting from the influence of environmental factors,it was necessary to use the long record dataset to evaluate the ecosystem sink capacity.

Carbon emission permit allocation and trading

Nowadays our earth is faced with grim challenge of global climate change. All countries should go into action jointly to mitigate climate change. Carbon emission permit allocation and trading are two important issues to realize global cooperation. In this paper two kinds of comprehensive carbon emission permit allocation methods not only considering equity but also efficiency were advanced. After the carbon permit price was determined, the trading situations in various regions or countries in the world and the global benefits gained from emission trading were expounded. Moreover, the impact of carbon emission permit trading on Chinas economy was analyzed.

Impacts of Defoliation on Morphological Characteristics and Non-Structural Carbohydrates of Populus talassica × Populus euphratica Seedlings

Leaves are important‘source’organs that synthesize organic matter,providing carbon sources for plant growth.Here,we used Populus talassica×Populus euphratica,the dominant species in ecological and timber forests,to simulate carbon limitation through artificial 25%,50%,and 75%defoliation treatments and explore the effects on root,stem,and leaf morphology,biomass accumulation,and carbon allocation strategies.At the 60th d after treat-ment,under 25%defoliation treatment,the plant height,specific leaf weight,root surface area and volume,and concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates in stem and root were significantly increased by 9.13%,20.00%,16.60%,31.95%,5.12%,and 9.34%,respectively,relative to the control.There was no significant change in the growth indicators under 50%defoliation treatment,but the concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates in the leaf and stem significantly decreased,showing mostly a negative correlation between them.The opposite was observed in the root.Under 75%defoliation treatment,the plant height,ground diameter,leaf number,single leaf area,root,stem,and total biomass were significantly reduced by 14.15%,10.24%,14.86%,11.31%,11.56%,21.87%,and 16.82%,respectively,relative to the control.The concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates in various organs were significantly reduced,particularly in the consumption of the starch concentrations in the stem and root.These results indicated that carbon allocation strategies can be adjusted to increase the con-centration of non-structural carbohydrates in root and meet plant growth needs under 25%and 50%defoliation.However,75%defoliation significantly limited the distribution of non-structural carbohydrates to roots and stems,reduced carbon storage,and thus inhibited plant growth.Defoliation-induced carbon limitation altered the carbon allocation pattern of P.talassica×P.euphratica,and the relationship between carbon reserves in roots and tree growth recovery after defoliation was greater.This study provides a theoretical basis for the comprehen-sive management of P.talassica×P.euphratica plantations,as well as a reference for the study of plantation car-bon allocation strategies in the desert and semi-desert regions of Xinjiang under carbon-limitation conditions.

Carbon storage in evergreen broad-leaf forests in mid-subtropical region of China at four succession stages

To better understand the effect of forest succession on carbon sequestration, we investigated carbon stock and allocation of evergreen broadleaf forest, a major zonal forest in subtropical China. We sought to quantify the carbon sequestration potential. We sampled four forest types, shrub （SR）, pine （Pinus massoniana） forest （PF）, pin~ and broadleaf mixed forest （Mr） and evergreen broadleaf forest （BF）. A regression equation was constructed using tree height and diameter at breast height （DBH） and elements of total tree biomass. The equation was subse- quently utilized to estimate tree carbon storage. The carbon storage of understory, litter, and soil was also estimated.

Comparisons of carbon storages in Cunninghamia lanceolata and Michelia macclurei plantations during a 22-year period in southern China

Tree species composition was important for carbon storage within the same climate range.To quantify the dynamics of ecosystem carbon allocation as affected by different tree species,we measured the above-and below-ground biomass accumulation in 22 years,as well as the tissue carbon concentrations of trees in Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation and Michelia macclurei plantation.Results indicated that M.macclurei plantation significantly stored more carbon（174.8 tons/hm2） than C.lanceolata plantation（154.3 tons/hm2）.Most of the carbon was found in the soil pool（57.1% in M.macclurei plantation,55.2% in C.lanceolata plantation）.Tree and soil component of M.macclurei plantation possessed significantly higher carbon storage than that of C.lanceolata plantation（p 〈 0.05）.No significant difference was found in the carbon storage of understory and forest floor.These results suggest that the broadleaved species（M.macclurei） possesses greater carbon sequestration potential than the coniferous species（C.lanceolata） in southern China.

Variation of carbon partitioning in newly expanded maize leaves and plant adaptive growth under extended darkness

Plants must maintain a balance between their carbon(C)supply and utilization during the day–night cycle for continuous growth since C starvation often causes irreversible damage to crop production.It is not well known how C fixation and allocation in the leaves of crops such as maize adapt to sudden environmental changes.Here,to quantify primary C fixation and partitioning in photosynthetic maize leaves under extended darkness and to relate these factors to plant growth,maize seedlings were subjected to extended darkness(ED)for three successive days at the 6 th leaf fully expanded stage(V6).ED reduced plant growth and leaf chlorophyll levels but not the rate of net CO_2 exchange.As a result of the reduction in photoassimilates,the accumulation of starch and total soluble carbohydrates(TSC)in mature leaves also decreased under ED.However,the percentage of the daily C fixation reserved in mature leaves increased.These transient C pools were largely composed of TSC and were mainly used for consumption by increased nocturnal respiration rather than for transport.As the days went on,both the amount of C accumulated and the percentage of the daily fixed C that was reserved in leaves decreased,which could be largely accounted for by the attenuated starch synthesis in all treatments.The activities of ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase and soluble starch synthase decreased significantly over time.Therefore,this study concluded that both starch and TSC are involved in the coordination of the C supply and plant growth under a sudden C shortage but that they may be involved in different ways.While the ratio of reserved C to daily fixed C increased to maintain blade function under acute C starvation,both the amount and the proportion of C reserved in mature leaves decreased as plant growth continued in order to meet the growth demands of the plant.

The Core Issue Facing the Green and Low Carbon Development of the Chinese Economy and the Countermeasures

Green development is an important concept based on China's needs and the international situation. Green development will greatly help China choose its path for economic growth. In the newly ratified Paris Agreement, the carbon emission reduction target willingly and determinedly proposed by China is very challenging. It will increase China's cost per unit of carbon dioxide emissions, slow China's economy growth, and set the upper limit for China's carbon emissions in the future. Facing these challenges, China needs to properly conduct carbon allocations under restrictions and promote green and low carbon development of the Chinese economy primarily by reinforcing structural adjustments and optimizing energy structures, upgrading industrial structures, being actively involved in international cooperation on carbon emission reduction and using other positive strategies.

Estimation of Tree Biomass,Carbon Stocks,and Error Propagation in Mecrusse Woodlands

We performed a biomass inventory using two-phase sampling to estimate biomass and carbon stocks for mecrusse woodlands and to quantify errors in the estimates. The first sampling phase involved measurement of auxiliary variables of living Androstachys johnsonii trees;in the second phase, we performed destructive biomass measurements on a randomly selected subset of trees from the first phase. The second-phase data were used to fit regression models to estimate below and aboveground biomass. These models were then applied to the first-phase data to estimate biomass stock. The estimated forest biomass and carbon stocks were 167.05 and 82.73 Mg·ha-1, respectively. The percent error resulting from plot selection and allometric equations for whole tree biomass stock was 4.55% and 1.53%, respectively, yielding a total error of 4.80%. Among individual variables in the first sampling phase, diameter at breast height (DBH) measurement was the largest source of error, and tree-height estimates contributed substantially to the error. Almost none of the error was attributable to plot variability. For the second sampling phase, DBH measurements were the largest source of error, followed by height measurements and stem-wood density estimates. Of the total error (as total variance) of the sampling process, 90% was attributed to plot selection and 10% to the allometric biomass model. The total error of our measurements was very low, which indicated that the two-phase sampling approach and sample size were effective for capturing and predicting biomass of this forest type.

Multi-year throughfall reduction enhanced the growth and non-structural carbohydrate storage of roots at the expenses of above-ground growth in a warm-temperate natural oak forest

The more frequent occurrence and severer drought events resulting from climate change are increasingly affecting the physiological performance of trees and ecosystem carbon sequestration in many regions of the world.However,our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the responses and adaption of forest trees to prolonged and multi-year drought is still limited.To address this problem,we conducted a long-term manipulative throughfall reduction(TFR,reduction of natural throughfall by 50%–70%during growing seasons)experiment in a natural oriental white oak(Quercus aliena var.acuteserrata Maxim.)forest under warm-temperate climate.After seven years of continuous TFR treatment,the aboveground growth in Q.aliena var.acuteserrata started to decline.Compared with the control plots,trees in the TFR treatment significantly reduced growth increments of stems(14.2%)and leaf area index(6.8%).The rate of net photosynthesis appeared to be more susceptible to changes in soil water in trees subjected to the TFR than in the control.The TFR-treated trees allocated significantly more photosynthates to belowground,leading to enhanced growth and nonstructural carbohydrates(NSC)storage in roots.The 7-year continuous TFR treatment increased the biomass,the production and the NSC concentration in the fine roots by 53.6%,153.6%and 9.6%,respectively.There were clear trade-offs between the aboveground growth and the fine root biomass and NSC storage in Q.aliena var.acuteserrata trees in response to the multi-year TFR treatment.A negative correlation between the fine root NSC concentration and soil water suggested a strategy of preferential C storage over growth when soil water became deficient;the stored NSC during water limitation would then help promote root growth when drought stress is released.Our findings demonstrate the warm-temperate oak forest adopted a more conservative NSC use strategy in response to long-term drought stress,with enhanced root growth and NSC storage at the expenses of above-ground growth to mitigate climate changeinduced drought.

Early differentiation in biomass production and carbon sequestration of white poplar and its two hybrids in Central Iran

We assessed the potential of white poplar（Populus alba L.） and its inter-sectional hybridization with euphrates poplar（P. euphratica Oliv.） for carbon storage and sequestration in central Iran. Trials were established at planting density of 2,500 trees per hectare in block randomized design with three replicates. After 6 years, we measured the above-ground biomass of tree components（trunk, branch, bark, twig and leaf）, and assessed soil carbon at three depths. P. alba 9 euphratica plantation stored significantly more carbon（22.3 t ha-1） than P. alba（16.7 t ha-1） and P. euphratica 9 alba（13.1 t ha-1）.Most of the carbon was accumulated in the above-ground biomass（61.1 % in P. alba, 72.4 % in P. alba 9 euphratica and 56.0 % in P. euphratica 9 alba）. There was no significant difference in soil carbon storage. Also, biomass allocation was different between white poplar P. alba and its inter-sectional hybridization. Therefore, there was a yield difference due to genomic imprinting, which increased the possibility that paternally and maternally inherited wood production alleles would be differentially expressed in the new crossing.

The molecular mechanism of shade avoidance in crops--How data from Arabidopsis can help to identify targets for increasing yield and biomass production

In order to prevent or counteract shading,plants enact a complex set of growth and developmental adaptations when they sense a change in light quality caused by other plants in their vicinity.This shade avoidance response（SAR）typically includes increased stem elongation at the expense of plant fitness and yield,making it an undesirable trait in an agricultural context.Manipulating the molecular factors involved in SAR can potentially improve productivity by increasing tolerance to higher planting density.However,most of the investigations of the molecular mechanism of SAR have been carried out in Arabidopsis thaliana,and it is presently unclear in how far results of these investigations apply to crop plants.In this review,current data on SAR in crop plants,especially from members of the Solanaceae and Poaceae families,are integrated with data from Arabidopsis,in order to identify the most promising targets for biotechnological approaches.Phytochromes,which detect the change in light caused by neighboring plants,and early signaling components can be targeted to increase plant productivity.However,they control various photomorphogenic processes not necessarily related to shade avoidance.Transcription factors involved in SAR signaling could be better targets to specifically enhance or suppress SAR.Knowledge integration from Arabidopsis and crop plants also indicates factors that could facilitate the control of specific aspects of SAR.Candidates are provided for the regulation of plant architecture,flowering induction and carbohydrate allocation.Yet to-be-elucidated factors that control SAR-dependent changes in biotic resistance and cell wall composition are pointed out.This review also includes an analysis of publicly available gene expression data for maize to augment the sparse molecular data available for this important species.

Effect of canopy composition on soil CO_2 emission in a mixed sprucebeech forest at Solling,Central Germany

It was hypothesized that soil respiration can be affected by canopy composition. Hence, admixture of trees as a common forest management practice may cause significant change in the carbon cycling. This study was conducted in a mixed spruce-beech stand at Solling forest in central Germany to investigate the effect of canopy composition on soil respiration. The canopy cover was classified in four major canopy classes （pure beech, pure spruce, mixed and gap）, and the area under each canopy class was identified as a sub-plot. Soil respiration in each sub-plot （n=4） was measured monthly from Jun 2005 to July 2006. Results show significant difference in annual soil respiration between the beech （359g·m^-2·a^-1 C） and gap （211 g·m^-2·a^-1 C） sub-plots. The estimation of the total below-ground carbon allocation （TBCA） based on a model given by Raich and Nadelhoffer revealed considerably higher root CO2 production in the beech sub-plot （231 g·m^-2·a^-1 C） compare to the gap sub-plot （51 g·m^-2·a^-1 C ）. The contribution of the root respiration to the total soil respiration was higher in the soil under the beech canopy （59%） compared with the soil in the gap （29%）. The findings suggested that the condition under the beech canopy may cause more desirable micro-site for autotrophic respiration and consequently higher CO2 release into the atmosphere.

Live above-and belowground biomass of a Mozambican evergreen forest:a comparison of estimates based on regression equations and biomass expansion factors

Background： Biomass regression equations are claimed to yield the most accurate biomass estimates than biomass expansion factors （BEFs）. Yet, national and regional biomass estimates are generally calculated based on BEFs, especially when using national forest inventory data. Comparison of regression equations based and BEF-based biomass estimates are scarce. Thus, this study was intended to compare these two commonly used methods for estimating tree and forest biomass with regard to errors and biases. Methods： The data were collected in 2012 and 2014. In 2012, a two-phase sampling design was used to fit tree component biomass regression models and determine tree BEFs. In 2014, additional trees were felled outside sampling plots to estimate the biases associated with regression equation based and BEF-based biomass estimates; those estimates were then compared in terms of the following sources of error： plot selection and variability, biomass model, model parameter estimates, and residual variability around model prediction. Results： The regression equation based below-, aboveground and whole tree biomass stocks were, approximately, 7.7, 8.5 and 8.3 % larger than the BEF-based ones. For the whole tree biomass stock, the percentage of the total error attributed to first phase （random plot selection and variability） was 90 and 88 % for regression- and BEF-based estimates, respectively, being the remaining attributed to biomass models （regression and BEF models, respectively）. The percent bias of regression equation based and BEF-based biomass estimates for the whole tree biomass stock were -2.7 and 5.4 %, respectively. The errors due to model parameter estimates, those due to residual variability around model prediction, and the percentage of the total error attributed to biomass model were larger for BEF models （than for regression models）, except for stem and stem wood components. Conclusions＂ The regression equation based biomass stocks were found to be slightly larger, associated with relatively smaller errors and least biased than the BEF-based ones. For stem and stem wood, the percentages of their total errors （as total variance） attributed to BEF model were considerably smaller than those attributed to biomass regression equations.

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.

Symbiotic mycorrhizal types affect patterns of tree aboveground and belowground C allocation in Northeast China

Background Given the ubiquitous nature of mycorrhizal symbioses,different symbiotic fungi have obvious differences in structure and function,which may affect associated tree aboveground and belowground C allocation dynamics.However,the mechanisms underlying tree aboveground and belowground C allocation and its response to symbiotic mycorrhizal types and other factors(e.g.,resource availability)remain poorly understood.Results We used forest inventory data to explore the potential mechanism of tree aboveground and belowground C allocation patterns in Northeast China.Our results showed that tree-fungal symbioses were related to the patterns of tree C allocation.The ratio of aboveground to belowground C pool was significantly higher in ectomycorrhizal(EM)-associated trees than that in arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)-associated trees.Symbiotic mycorrhizal types were associ-ated with the responses of tree aboveground and belowground C allocation to different factors,such as mean annual precipitation(MAP)and mean annual temperature(MAT).Almost all factors significantly increased aboveground C allocation in AM-associated trees but significantly decreased it in EM-associated trees.Moreover,after controlling the other factors,the effects of climate factors(MAT and MAP)on the C allocation of AM-and EM-associated trees were similar.Increases in MAT and MAP significantly increased belowground and aboveground C allocation,respectively.Conclusions Our results demonstrate symbiotic mycorrhizal types play an important role in controlling tree aboveground and belowground C allocation and dynamics.

Paludification reduces black spruce growth rate but does not alter tree water use efficiency in Canadian boreal forested peatlands

Background:Black spruce(Picea mariana(Mill.)BSP)-forested peatlands are widespread ecosystems in boreal North America in which peat accumulation,known as the paludification process,has been shown to induce forest growth decline.The continuously evolving environmental conditions(e.g.,water table rise,increasing peat thickness)in paludified forests may require tree growth mechanism adjustments over time.In this study,we investigate tree ecophysiological mechanisms along a paludification gradient in a boreal forested peatland of eastern Canada by combining peat-based and tree-ring analyses.Carbon and oxygen stable isotopes in tree rings are used to document changes in carbon assimilation rates,stomatal conductance,and water use efficiency.In addition,paleohydrological analyses are performed to evaluate the dynamical ecophysiological adjustments of black spruce trees to site-specific water table variations.Results:Increasing peat accumulation considerably impacts forest growth,but no significant differences in tree water use efficiency(iWUE)are found between the study sites.Tree-ring isotopic analysis indicates no iWUE decrease over the last 100 years,but rather an important increase at each site up to the 1980 s,before iWUE stabilized.Surprisingly,inferred basal area increments do not reflect such trends.Therefore,iWUE variations do not reflect tree ecophysiological adjustments required by changes in growing conditions.Local water table variations induce no changes in ecophysiological mechanisms,but a synchronous shift in iWUE is observed at all sites in the mid-1980 s.Conclusions:Our study shows that paludification induces black spruce growth decline without altering tree water use efficiency in boreal forested peatlands.These findings highlight that failing to account for paludification-related carbon use and allocation could result in the overestimation of aboveground biomass production in paludified sites.Further research on carbon allocation strategies is of utmost importance to understand the carbon sink capacity of these widespread ecosystems in the context of climate change,and to make appropriate forest management decisions in the boreal biome.

Carbon density and distribution of six Chinese temperate forests

Quantifying forest carbon(C) storage and distribution is important for forest C cycling studies and terrestrial ecosystem modeling.Forest inventory and allometric approaches were used to measure C density and allocation in six representative temperate forests of similar stand age(42-59 years old) and growing under the same climate in northeastern China.The forests were an aspen-birch forest,a hardwood forest,a Korean pine plantation,a Dahurian larch plantation,a mixed deciduous forest,and a Mongolian oak forest.There were no significant differences in the C densities of ecosystem components(except for detritus) although the six forests had varying vegetation compositions and site conditions.However,the differences were significant when the C pools were normalized against stand basal area.The total ecosystem C density varied from 186.9 tC hm-2 to 349.2 tC hm-2 across the forests.The C densities of vegetation,detritus,and soil ranged from 86.3-122.7 tC hm-2,6.5-10.5 tC hm-2,and 93.7-220.1 tC hm-2,respectively,which accounted for 39.7% ± 7.1%(mean ± SD),3.3% ± 1.1%,and 57.0% ± 7.9% of the total C densities,respectively.The overstory C pool accounted for 】 99% of the total vegetation C pool.The foliage biomass,small root(diameter 【 5mm) biomass,root-shoot ratio,and small root to foliage biomass ratio varied from 2.08-4.72 tC hm-2,0.95-3.24 tC hm-2,22.0%-28.3%,and 34.5%-122.2%,respectively.The Korean pine plantation had the lowest foliage production efficiency(total biomass/foliage biomass:22.6 g g-1) among the six forests,while the Dahurian larch plantation had the highest small root production efficiency(total biomass/small root biomass:124.7 g g-1).The small root C density decreased with soil depth for all forests except for the Mongolian oak forest,in which the small roots tended to be vertically distributed downwards.The C density of coarse woody debris was significantly less in the two plantations than in the four naturally regenerated forests.The variability of C allocation patterns in a specific forest is jointly influenced by vegetation type,management history,and local water and nutrient availability.The study provides important data for developing and validating C cycling models for temperate forests.

Carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a Pinus densiflora forest with low and high stand densities

Aims Understanding carbon(C)and nitrogen(N)dynamics and their dependence on the stand density of an even-aged,mature forest provides knowledge that is important for forest management.This study investigated the differences in ecosystem total C and N storage and flux between a low-density stand(LD)and a high-density stand(HD)and examined the effects of stand density on aboveground net primary productivity(ANPP),total belowground C allocation(TBCA)and net ecosystem production(NEP)in a naturally regenerated,65-to 75-year-old Pinus densiflora S.et Z.forest.Methods LD(450 trees ha^(−1))and HD(842 trees ha^(−1))were established in an even-aged,mature P.densiflora forest in September 2006.The forest had been naturally regenerated following harvesting,and the stand density was naturally maintained without any artificial management such as thinning.The diameter at breast height(DBH≥5.0cm)of all live stems within the stands was measured yearly from 2007 to 2011.To compare C and N storage and fluxes in LD and HD,C and N pools in aboveground and belowground biomass,the forest floor,coarse woody debris(CWD)and soil;soil CO_(2) efflux(R_(S));autotrophic respiration(R_(A));litter production;and soil N availability were measured.Further,ANPP,TBCA and NEP were estimated from plot-based measurement data.Important Findings Ecosystem C(Mg C ha^(−1))and N(Mg N ha^(−1))storage was,respectively,173.0±7.3(mean±SE)and 4.69±0.30 for LD and 162±11.8 and 4.08±0.18 for HD.There were no significant differences in C and N storage in the ecosystem components,except for soils,between the two stands.In contrast,there were significant differences in aboveground ANPP and TBCA between the two stands(P<0.05).Litterfall,biomass increment and R_(S) were major C flux components with values of,respectively,3.89,3.74 and 9.07 Mg C ha^(−1) year^(−1) in LD and 3.15,2.94 and 7.06 Mg C ha^(−1) year^(−1) in HD.Biometric-based NEP(Mg C ha^(−1) year^(−1))was 4.18 in LD and 5.50 in HD.Although the even-aged,mature P.densiflora forest had similar C and N allocation patterns,it showed different C and N dynamics depending on stand density.The results of the current study will be useful for elucidating the effects of stand density on C and N storage and fluxes,which are important issues in managing natural mature forest ecosystems.