Carbon storage and its allocation pattern of forest ecosystems with different restoration methods in subtropical China

Abstract

Forest restoration was regarded as a main measure to improve the carbon sequestration ability of forest ecosystems. In this study, we compared the ecosystem carbon stock in wood plantations with naturally regenerated broadleaf forests in Jiulianshan National Nature Reserve. In 1978, the original vegetation was clear cut. Now, the ecosystem carbon stock (vegetation + litter + soil) were about 257.59 t hm-2 in broadleaved secondary forest, 230.93 t hm-2 in Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation, and 163.49 t hm-2 in Nyssa sinensis plantation. The carbon stocks in these relatively new forests were significantly lower than that in the subtropical zonal evergreen broadleaved forests (299.13 t hm-2). We primarily conclude that the carbon stock in secondary forest by natural regeneration was higher than that in plantations by managements. Carbon storages in these restored forests were significantly lower than that zonal vegetation, it means that they still have a certain carbon sink potential. The natural forest regenerations with low investments and labor, which had a slightly disturbance for soil carbon pools, could acquire relatively substantial vegetation carbon stocks compared with plantations. Under favorate environment conditions of water and temperature in subtropical China, the natural restoration was a promising way to achieve high carbon benefits in the forest area with enough seeds sources.