Abstract
The subtropical forest biome occupies about 25% of China, with species diversity only next to tropical forests. Despite the recognized importance of subtropical forest in regional carbon storage and cycling, uncertainties remain regarding the carbon storage of subtropical forests, and few studies have quantified within-site variation of biomass, making it difficult to evaluate the role of these forests in the global and regional carbon cycles. Using data for a 24-ha census plot in east China, we quantify aboveground biomass, characterize its spatial variation among different habitats, and analyse species relative contribution to the total aboveground biomass of different habitats. The average aboveground biomass was 223.0 Mg ha−1 (bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals [217.6, 228.5]) and varied substantially among four topographically defined habitats, from 180.6 Mg ha−1 (bootstrapped 95% CI [167.1, 195.0]) in the upper ridge to 245.9 Mg ha−1 (bootstrapped 95% CI [238.3, 253.8]) in the lower ridge, with upper and lower valley intermediate. In consistent with our expectation, individual species contributed differently to the total aboveground biomass of different habitats, reflecting significant species habitat associations. Different species show differently in habitat preference in terms of biomass contribution. These patterns may be the consequences of ecological strategies difference among different species. Results from this study enhance our ability to evaluate the role of subtropical forests in the regional carbon cycle and provide valuable information to guide the protection and management of subtropical broad-leaved forest for carbon sequestration and carbon storage.
Highlights
The carbon cycle of the earth has been massively altered by anthropogenic activities [1,2,3]
Forests represent a major reservoir of global carbon, and play a major role in regional and global carbon cycles because they act as carbon sinks during succession and as carbon sources when destroyed or degraded by human or natural disturbances [4,5]
The five species accounting for the largest proportion of aboveground biomass were C. eyrei (81.4 Mg ha21), S. superba (50.1 Mg ha21), P. massoniana (15.8 Mg ha21), Q. serrata
Summary
The carbon cycle of the earth has been massively altered by anthropogenic activities [1,2,3]. Forests represent a major reservoir of global carbon, and play a major role in regional and global carbon cycles because they act as carbon sinks during succession and as carbon sources when destroyed or degraded by human or natural disturbances [4,5]. An accurate estimate of the magnitude of carbon stocks in forest ecosystems within different climatic regions is essential for understanding global and regional carbon budgets [2]. In forest ecosystems, carbon is stored mostly in two pools: biomass and soil organic matter. Biomass, aboveground biomass, is vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic disturbances, such as wildfire, logging, land conversion, storms, and insect or disease outbreaks [4]. The dynamic of aboveground biomass will dominate the short-term response of carbon storage in forest ecosystems, and are appropriately the dominant focus of research on forest carbon pools
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
