Organic Carbon Distribution of the Pinus densiflora Forest on Songgye Valley at Mt. Worak National Park

Abstract

The organic carbon (OC) distribution of Pinus densiflora forest in Songgye valley at Mt. Worak National Park were studied as a part of the National Long-Term Ecological Research in Korea. In order to investigate the OC distribution, OC in plant biomass, litterfall, litter layer on forest floor, and soil were estimated. The density of P. densiflora forest was 1,300 trees/ha, average DBH was <TEX>$15.2{\pm}6.17\;cm$</TEX> and average tree height was <TEX>$10.7{\pm}2.56\;m$</TEX>. The shrub layer was dominated by shrubby Quercus variabilis, Fraxinus sieboldiana and lndigofera kirilowii with low frequency, and herb layer was dominated by Pteridium aquilinum and Miscanthus sinensis. Total amount of OC stored in this pine forest was 142.78 ton C/ha. Organic carbon stored in soil and plant biomass accounted for 59.2% and 37.8%, respectively. Amount of OC distributed in trees, shrubs, herbs and litter layer in this pine forest was 51.79, 2.03, 0.12 and 4.29 ton C/ha, respectively. Amount of OC returned to forest floor via litterfall was <TEX>$1.50\;ton\;C\;ha^{-1}\;yr^{-1}$</TEX>. Soil organic carbon (SOC) decreased along the soil depth. Total amount of SOC within 50cm soil depth was <TEX>$84.55\;ton\;C\;ha^{-1}\;50\;cm-depth^{-1}$</TEX>.