Evaluation of the carbon accumulation capability and carbon storage of different types of wetlands in the Nanhui tidal flat of the Yangtze River estuary.

Abstract

Wetlands are carbon pools for terrestrial ecosystems and play an important role in the global carbon cycle. The Nanhui tidal flat is located at the Yangtze River estuary and has been disturbed by various human activities. However, the effect of human activities on the carbon accumulation capability and carbon storage of wetlands in the Nanhui tidal flat is poorly understood. In this study, the annual carbon accumulation capability and carbon storage of three types of Spartina alterniflora Loisel. wetlands in the Nanhui tidal flat, which were defined as a natural wetland, silt-promoting wetland, and artificial restored wetland, were evaluated by analyzing the plant carbon fixation capability, soil carbon emissions, and soil organic carbon (SOC) density. The results showed that the three wetlands all had a carbon sink effect and the natural wetland, artificial restored wetland, and silt-promoting wetland annually accumulated 7.94, 7.14, and 6.33 kg m-2 CO2, respectively. The existing SOC density in the subsurface soil (0-40 cm) in the natural wetland, silt-promoting wetland, and artificial restored wetland was 23.26, 17.95, and 12.21 kg m-2 CO2, respectively. The natural wetland, with no human disturbance, had a longer duration of waterlogging and greater tidal nutrition inputs than the other wetlands, resulting in a higher plant biomass and lower soil respiration (SR). It therefore had the strongest carbon accumulation capability and highest SOC storage.