Carbon Storage Traits of Main Tree Species in Natural Forests in Northeast China

Abstract

Carbon storage capacity of tree species is important for sustainable forest management especially in the context of international policy agendas on greenhouse gas emissions mitigation. In this research, the carbon storage traits of main tree species over their life spans in natural forests in Northeast China are studied through allometric relationships between diameter at breast height, tree age, and total carbon storage of each species. The ranking of carbon storage of the main tree species in their full life spans follows: Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc. > Quercus mongolica Fisch. Ex Ledeb. > Populus ussuriensis Kom > Larix olgensis A. Henry > Tilia amurensis Rupr. > Abies nephrolepis (Trautv.) Maxim. > Betula platyphylla Sukaczev > Ulmus japonica (Rehder) Sarg. > Acer mono Maxim. > Populus davidiana Dode. P. ussuriensis has the largest annual carbon accumulation rate during its life span among the main tree species and reaches about 68 kg yr–1. Fast-growing species in this area can accumulate more carbon than slow-growing species in the first 50 years. P. ussuriensis can store about 700 times more carbon than P. koraiensis in the first 50 years. The stems of all examined tree species contribute more than 68% of the total carbon storage of the whole tree (diameter at breast height > 5.0 cm). The allocation ratios of carbon storage to root, stem, leaf and branch change with tree size. According to these changes, four types of tree are identified. Research results and approach have implications for strategic forest carbon management based on species characteristics.