Rotation age extension synergistically increases ecosystem carbon storage and timber production of Chinese fir plantations in southern China

Wenhua Xiang; Li Xu; Pifeng Lei; Shuai Ouyang; Xiangwen Deng; Liang Chen; Yelin Zeng; Yanting Hu; Zhonghui Zhao; Huili Wu; Lixiong Zeng; Wenfa Xiao

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115426

Rotation age extension synergistically increases ecosystem carbon storage and timber production of Chinese fir plantations in southern China

J Environ Manage. 2022 Sep 1:317:115426. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115426. Epub 2022 Jun 2.

Authors

Wenhua Xiang¹, Li Xu², Pifeng Lei³, Shuai Ouyang³, Xiangwen Deng³, Liang Chen³, Yelin Zeng³, Yanting Hu³, Zhonghui Zhao³, Huili Wu³, Lixiong Zeng⁴, Wenfa Xiao⁴

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, Hunan Province, China; Huitong National Station for Scientific Observation and Research of Chinese Fir Plantation Ecosystem in Hunan Province, Huitong, 438107, China. Electronic address: xiangwh2005@163.com.
² Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, Hunan Province, China; Central South Institute of Forestry Inventory and Planning, Changsha, 410004, Hunan Province, China.
³ Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, Hunan Province, China; Huitong National Station for Scientific Observation and Research of Chinese Fir Plantation Ecosystem in Hunan Province, Huitong, 438107, China.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment, State Forestry Administration, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China.

PMID: 35662044
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115426

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 m³ 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.

Keywords: Carbon dynamic; Ecosystem service; Logistic model; Soil carbon; Stand age.

MeSH terms

Biomass
Carbon / analysis
Carbon Sequestration
China
Cunninghamia*
Ecosystem
Soil
Trees

Substances

Soil
Carbon