Carbon sink potential and allocation in above- and below-ground biomass in willow coppice

Abstract

This research estimates carbon sink and allocation in above- and below-ground biomass of a 12-year-old willow coppice plantation on fluvisol soil near the Vistula River (southern Poland). The plantation showed high C sink potential and sequestration rates. C sequestration by above-ground biomass was estimated at 10.8 Mg C ha−1 a−1. Accumulation in coarse roots was estimated at 1.5 Mg C ha−1 a−1 and in fine roots at 1.2 Mg C ha−1 a−1. Total C sequestered (above-ground biomass, coarse roots and fine roots) was estimated at 13.5 Mg C ha−1 a−1. These results confirm the potential of fast-growing plantations of willow to mitigate, over a short time span, the effects of high CO2 concentrations.