Carbon Storage Function Research Articles

Forest Stewards Guild position on climate-smart forestry

Climate-smart forestry is an increasingly important topic in forest policy and for practices. However, what does and does not constitute climate-smart forestry is subject of debate. At stake are billions of dollars of investment aimed at encouraging climate-smart forestry practices in the United States. As a leading voice for ecologically, economically, and socially responsible forestry, The Forest Stewards Guild (FSG) has produced a position statement based on the organization's vision, mission, and principles to guide conversations around climate-smart forestry for all interested stakeholders. This forest perspective presents and expands on the findings of the FSG position on climate-smart forestry. There are three common aspects in the multiple co-existing definitions of climate-smart forestry: 1) adapting forests to expected future climate conditions, 2) mitigating climate change by leveraging carbon sequestration and storage functions of forests, and 3) improving social outcomes. There are potential trade-offs with other benefits forests provide if climate-smart forestry is pursued without holistic consideration of forest ecosystems. We suggest that such trade-offs can be minimized if the goals of climate-smart forestry projects are communicated transparently, system boundaries are made as comprehensive as possible, potential trade-offs are assessed along with climate benefits, climate-smart practices are tailored to the social-ecological contexts, and uncertainty is recognized.

Microplastics positively mediate soil multifunctionality in dryland

Soil multifunctionality (SMF) denotes soil capability to concurrently offer diversified functions. Here, we unveiled the long-term effects of polyethylene microplastics (MPs) on SMF along their physical forms and concentrations in dryland. General linear model showed that eight major function groups (across 21 functions) explained 78.6 % of SMF variation. Direct or indirect productive functions of soil, including plant productivity and its physical property stability, contributed to SMF by 8.65 % and 13.68 %, respectively. Ecological functions, including microbial activity (12.73 %), bacterial composition diversity (10.69 %), bacterial functional diversity (11.71 %), carbon storage (9.98 %), nitrogen storage (3.54 %) and pollutant metabolism function (7.62 %), exhibited positive contributions to SMF. These were somewhat dependent on MPs physical forms and concentrations, and mostly attributed to the foam-modified effects of MPs on soil bulk density, and functional trade-off between conservation and services. Overall, MPs induced positive effects on SMF, challenging the widespread viewpoint that MPs only produced negative impacts in dryland.

A network meta-analysis on responses of forest soil carbon concentration to interventions

BackgroundForests play a crucial role in absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. 55% of the carbon in terrestrial ecosystems is stored in forests, with the majority of forest carbon stored in soil. To better understand soil organic carbon (SOC) of forests and to access interventions that affect their SOC concentration, we conducted a comparative analysis between natural and planted forests. Forest interventions refer to the actions taken by humans to manage, protect, or transform forests, and can be divided into two main categories: environmental intervention and anthropogenic intervention. This study focused on the effects of different interventions on SOC in natural and planted forests by reviewing a total of 75 randomized controlled trials in the global literature and extracting a total of 15 different interventions.ResultsThrough network meta-analysis, we found that natural forests have 22.3% higher SOC than planted forests, indicating their stronger carbon storage function. In natural forests, environmental interventions have a stronger impact. SOC is significantly influenced by forest age, fertilization, and elevation. In planted forests, however, anthropogenic interventions have a stronger impact. Pruning branches and fertilization are effective interventions for planted forests. Furthermore, forest degradation has a significantly negative impact on SOC in planted forests.ConclusionOverall, interventions to enhance soil carbon storage function differ between natural and planted forests. To address global climate change, protect biodiversity, and achieve sustainable development, it is imperative to globally protect forests and employ scientifically sound forest management practices. Regarding natural forests, the emphasis should be on comprehending the effects of environmental interventions on SOC. Conversely, concerning planted forests, the emphasis should be on comprehending the effects of anthropogenic interventions.

Comparative Study of Single-Wood Biomass Model at Plot Level Based on Multi-Source LiDAR

Forests play an important role in promoting carbon cycling and mitigating the urban heat island effect as one of the world’s major carbon storages. Scientifically quantifying tree biomass is the basis for assessing tree carbon storage and other ecosystem functions. In this study, a sample plot of Populus tomentosa plantation in the Olympic Forest Park in Beijing was selected as the research object. Point cloud data from three types of laser scanners, including terrestrial laser scanner (TLS), backpack laser scanner (BLS), and handheld laser scanner (HLS), were used to estimate the biomass of single tree trunks, branches, leaves, and aboveground total biomass based on the Allometric Biomass Model (ABM) and Advanced Quantitative Structure Model (AdQSM). The following conclusions were drawn from the estimation results: (1) For the three types of laser scanner point clouds, the biomass estimation values obtained using the AdQSM model were generally higher than those obtained using the Allometric Biomass Model. However, the estimation values obtained using the two models were similar, especially for tree trunks and total biomass. (2) For total biomass and individual biomass components of single trees, the results obtained from handheld and terrestrial laser scanner point clouds are consistent; however, they show some differences from the results obtained from backpack-mounted point clouds. This study further enriches the methodological system for estimating forest biomass, providing a theoretical basis and reference for more accurate estimates of forest biomass and more sustainable forest management.

Coupling use of stable isotopes and functional genes as indicators for the impacts of artificial restoration on the carbon storage of a coastal wetland invaded by Spartina alterniflora, southeastern China

Coastal wetlands are characterized by high production and thus play an important role in global climate change. In past decades, the invasion of Spartina alterniflora has caused many problems of coastal wetlands in southeastern China, and the restoration of such areas was mainly conducted by replacing Spartina alterniflora with mangrove plants. This may impact the carbon storage dynamics in such areas. In this study, stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) and molecular analysis were used to reveal the impact of artificial restoration on the carbon storage of Quanzhou Bay Estuary Wetland Natural Reserve. The major results are as follows: (1) the change in dominant plants results in a changing major source of soil organic matter, from external sources to mangrove plants; (2) the decrease in soil organic matter following the removal of Spartina alterniflora may be primarily caused by the loss of external organic matter, while the production of mangroves may offset such loss and enhance the content and stability of carbon storage over the long term; (3) microbial CO2 assimilation may serve as an alternative source of bioavailable carbon and thus support the activity of benthic community. Our results revealed the long-term benefits of such restoration on the carbon storage function of wetlands invaded by Spartina alterniflora. Furthermore, the integrating of isotopic tracers and molecular technology may provide new insights in understanding the response of the carbon storage in coastal areas to human activity.

Soil Carbon Storage, Enzymatic Stoichiometry, and Ecosystem Functions in Indian Himalayan Legume-Diversified Pastures

The influences of legume diversification on soil carbon (C) pools and sequestration, particularly in Himalayan pastureland, remain poorly understood. Moreover, the impact of legume diversification activities and the stoichiometry of soil enzymes in C biogeochemistry at the ecosystem level remains largely overlooked. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influences of legume diversification on activities and the stoichiometry of soil enzymes and their control of C sequestration in pasturelands. Four experimental fertilized species combinations, namely, SG (50% Festuca arundinacea + 50% Dactylis glomerata), SGL1 (25% Festuca arundinacea + 25% Dactylis glomerata + 50% Onobrychis viciifolia), SGL2 (25% Festuca arundinacea + 25% Dactylis glomerata + 50% Trifolium pratense), SGL12 (25% Festuca arundinacea + 25% Dactylis glomerata + 25% Onobrychis viciifolia + 25% Trifolium pratense), and natural pasture (NG) were compared. Soils under SGL1, SGL2, and SG12 had ~18, 36, and 22% greater soil C than SG, respectively. Among the pastures with fertilization, the C mineralization was suppressed by legume diversification. C sequestration under SGL1, SGL2, and SG12 was ~27, 22, and 38% higher than SG, respectively, at the 0–30 cm soil layer. The ratios of DHA are as follows: for PhOX and DHA, PerOX significantly decreased with an increasing grass–legume mixture, suggesting greater C sequestration. PCA analysis revealed that C sequestration under legume diversification and enzymatic stoichiometry had an indirect but substantial impact on C sequestration. The increasing C sequestration under SGL12 was complemented by higher productivity. Data suggested that increasing legumes in pastureland might greatly enhance ecosystem functions such as soil C storage, productivity, ecorestoration efficiency, and biological activity in Indian Himalayan pastureland.

Study on the trade-off/synergy between ecosystem services and human well-being based on land use in Weinan City, China.

Change of land use have important impacts on ecosystem services (ESs) and human well-being (HWB), yet the trade-off/synergy among land use, ESs, and HWB has still not received sufficient attention at city regional scales level. Weinan City in the southern of the Loess Plateau of China was taken as the study area. Based on ArcGIS, InVEST model, and RUSLE model, the characteristics of spatial and temporal variations of land use and ESs from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed, and the trade-off/synergy relationship between land use, ESs, and HWB was quantified using correlation analysis. The results indicated that the area of cultivated land decreased significantly and the area of built-up land increased significantly from 2000 to 2020 in Weinan City. The grain production, soil conservation, and water yield functions showed an increasing trend, which was a synergistic relationship with HWB. Carbon storage and habitat quality functions showed a decreasing trend, which was a trade-off relationship with HWB. The index value of HWB has increased significantly, mainly in the added value of agricultural and rural per capita income. Land use intensity has a trade-off relationship with GP, WY functions, and HWB. There are many factors that affect this trade-off/synergy relationship, such as land use patterns, economic development, and population growth. The study can provide a theoretical basis for the sustainable development of regional economy and nature.

Spatio-temporal evolution characteristics and simulation prediction of carbon storage: A case study in Sanjiangyuan Area, China

Understanding the relationship between land-use patterns and regional carbon storage, as well as predicting future land-use changes for regional carbon sink and emission management, are of immense significance. This study utilized land-use data from 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, as well as the InVEST model, to evaluate the spatiotemporal evolution of carbon storage in the Sanjiangyuan area over the past three decades. Furthermore, predictions for carbon storage in 2035 were presented using the PLUS model. The findings revealed the following key results: (1) the land types in the Sanjiangyuan area are mainly low cover grassland, medium cover grassland and unused land, among which unused land decreased significantly from 1990 to 2020, and the area of low cover grassland and wetland increased, which is the main reason for the increase of carbon storage. (2) Climatic-environmental and social-economic factors jointly influenced the land-use change in the Sanjiangyuan area. Except for the three types of grassland, the expansion of other land types was mainly influenced by climatic and environmental factors. (3) During 1990–2020, carbon storage in the source region of Sanjiangyuan area showed an overall upward trend, with a total increase of 39.97 × 107 t, and land-use change had a positive potential impact on carbon storage as a whole. (4) Under the natural change scenario, both carbon storage and regional carbon density increased in the simulation of 2035, and the potential impact of land-use change on carbon storage is positive. On this basis, the paper puts some suggestions forward to improve the carbon storage capacity of the Sanjiangyuan area in the future. This study provides valuable scientific insights for land-use management decision-making and promotes sustainable development of carbon storage functions in this region.

Forest Structure and Carbon Reserve in Natural and Replanted Mangrove Forests in Different Years in the Limpopo Estuary, Gaza Province, Mozambique

The Limpopo estuary mangrove forest covers about 928 ha; however, 382 ha remain intact, and 546 ha were degraded after the 2000 floods. Mangrove replanting campaigns were carried out at the site. This study assesses the ability of restored forests to provide carbon storage functions. The results showed that A. marina was the dominant species in all study areas. The carbon reserve of living biomass above and below ground in the natural forest was 67.9 ± 100.9 MgCha−1 and 65.0 ± 77.1 MgC ha−1, respectively; in the planted forests (2016, 2014, 2010), it was 1.1 ± 0.5 MgCha−1 and 2.1 ± 1.0 MgCha−1, 1.8 ± 1.0 MgCha−1 and 3.6 ± 2.0 MgCha−1, 3.7 ± 2.0 MgCha−1 and 5.3 ± 2.5 MgCha−1. Soil carbon reserve was 229.4 ± 119.4 MgCha−1 in natural forest and 230.3 ± 134.8 MgCha−1, 234.8 ± 132.7 MgC ha−1, 229.4 ± 119.4 MgCha−1 in planted forests (2016, 2014, 2010). The total carbon reserve in the natural forest was 362.3 MgCha−1; and 233.5 MgCha−1, 240.2 MgCha−1 and 246.4 MgCha−1 in the planted forests (2016, 2014, 2010), respectively. Natural and restored forests had similar amounts of soil carbon, which reinforces the idea that soil is a stable carbon pool. Moreover, restored forests failed to store the same amount of live biomass (carbon), which supports the idea that it is better to prevent habitat degradation than to restore it.

A Lagrangian model for drifting ecosystems reveals heterogeneity-driven enhancement of marine plankton blooms

Marine plankton play a crucial role in carbon storage, global climate, and ecosystem function. Planktonic ecosystems are embedded in patches of water that are continuously moving, stretching, and diluting. These processes drive inhomegeneities on a range of scales, with implications for the integrated ecosystem properties, but are hard to characterize. We present a theoretical framework that accounts for all these aspects; tracking the water patch hosting a drifting ecosystem along with its physical, environmental, and biochemical features. The theory resolves patch dilution and internal physical mixing as a function of oceanic strain and diffusion. Ecological dynamics are parameterized by an idealized nutrient and phytoplankton population and we specifically capture the time evolution of the biochemical spatial variances to represent within-patch heterogeneity. We find that, depending only on the physical processes to which the water patch is subjected, the plankton biomass response to a resource perturbation can vary in size up to six times. This work indicates that we must account for these processes when interpreting and modeling marine ecosystems and provides a framework with which to do so.

Changing the narrative and perspective surrounding marine fish

Fish are essential components of the ocean carbon sink. Therefore, the carbon functions of fish should be incorporated into marine policies and management of carbon stocks in coastal and marine ecosystems, as well as sustainable fisheries. However, while there are ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management that consider the impacts of fisheries on fish populations, habitats and environmental functioning, the focus remains on achieving maximum sustainable yield from the fish resource. Similarly, current approaches to blue carbon management focus on the conservation and restoration of coastal wetlands for the carbon they contain, mostly ignoring fish. We challenge these prevailing views and strategies and outline the different roles of fish in marine ecosystems and the risks posed by current approaches to blue carbon management and fisheries. We aim to contribute to a change in perspective and strengthen new approaches to ocean-climate regulation. To do so, we draw on the latest literature to show how fish are critical for carbon storage, sequestration (i.e., stored for 100 years or more), nutrient transfer, habitats and ecosystem function - all factors that are crucial for ocean productivity and ultimately sustain fisheries. On this basis, we argue that fish populations need to be considered as more than just a commodity to avoid carbon mismanagement, habitat loss, ecosystem collapse and food insecurity. We conclude by identifying ways in which science and policy can better integrate fish carbon functions into blue carbon management and fisheries management.

Pore structure characteristics and organic carbon distribution of soil aggregates in alpine ecosystems in the Qinghai Lake basin on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Soils in alpine ecosystems serve as important carbon sinks. Soil aggregates provide physical protection to soil organic carbon (SOC) and pore networks of them can greatly influence SOC sequestration. However, previous studies mainly focused on SOC dynamics at ecosystem or regional scale in cold alpine regions. The lack of quantification of alpine soil aggregate pore structure limits our understanding of SOC sequestration mechanisms of alpine soil. In this study, three typical alpine ecosystems in the Qinghai Lake basin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) were selected: Kobresia pygmaea meadow (KPM), Potentilla fruticosa shrubland (PFS), and Achnatherum splendens steppe (ASS). Soil pore structure, SOC and their relationships in aggregates were examined through sieving procedure and X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning. The results showed that the mass proportion of small macroaggregates (SMA, 0.25–2 mm) was highest and they accounted for 36–51% of all aggregate fractions in the above three alpine ecosystems. The pores of soil aggregate were found to be dominated by micropores (<30 μm), which accounted for over 90% of the pore numbers. Aggregates of the ASS ecosystem had highest mean pore volume (7.761 × 10³ μm3 in average) while soil aggregates of the KPM ecosystem had the highest pore number density (4.137 × 10-5 no. μm−3 in average). The highest total organic carbon (TOC) content was mostly observed in the mA (microaggregates, 0.053–0.25 mm) fractions in the three ecosystems. Particulate organic carbon (POC) content was higher than mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) content of aggregates. Pores of < 15 μm served as indirect indicators for SOC protection in soil aggregates. Pores of 15–30 μm in aggregates might provide voids for SOC decomposition. TOC and MAOC content were positively correlated with pore surface area density while POC content was positively correlated with pore equivalent diameter and mean volume of aggregates. SOC was mainly affected by soil water content (SWC) in KPM and PFS ecosystems while it was mainly affected by soil particle compositions in the ASS ecosystems. Our results revealed the structural characteristics of aggregates of alpine soil and their relationships with the carbon storage function, which are helpful to understand the micro-scale mechanism of carbon sink of alpine soil.

R-MFNet: Analysis of Urban Carbon Stock Change against the Background of Land-Use Change Based on a Residual Multi-Module Fusion Network

Regional land-use change is the leading cause of ecosystem carbon stock change; it is essential to investigate the response of LUCC to carbon stock to achieve the strategic goal of “double carbon” in a region. This paper proposes a residual network algorithm, the Residual Multi-module Fusion Network (R-MFNet), to address the problems of blurred feature boundary information, low classification accuracy, and high noise, which are often encountered in traditional classification methods. The network algorithm uses an R-ASPP module to expand the receptive field of the feature map to extract sufficient and multi-scale target features; it uses the attention mechanism to assign weights to the multi-scale information of each channel and space. It can fully preserve the remote sensing image features extracted by the convolutional layer through the residual connection. Using this classification network method, the classification of three Landsat-TM/OLI images of Zhengzhou City (the capital of Henan Province) from 2001 to 2020 was realized (the years that the three images were taken are 2001, 2009, and 2020). Compared with SVM, 2D-CNN, and deep residual networks (ResNet), the overall accuracy of the test dataset is increased by 10.07%, 3.96%, and 1.33%, respectively. The classification achieved using this method is closer to the real land surface, and its accuracy is higher than that of the finished product data obtained using the traditional classification method, providing high-precision land-use classification data for the subsequent carbon storage estimation research. Based on the land-use classification data and the carbon density data corrected by meteorological data (temperature and precipitation data), the InVEST model is used to analyze the land-use change and its impact on carbon storage in the region. The results showed that, from 2001 to 2020, the carbon stock in the study area showed a downward trend, with a total decrease of 1.48 × 107 t. Over the course of this 19-year period, the farmland area in Zhengzhou decreased by 1101.72 km2, and the built land area increased sharply by 936.16 km2. The area of land transfer accounted for 29.26% of the total area of Zhengzhou City from 2001 to 2009, and 31.20% from 2009 to 2020. The conversion of farmland to built land is the primary type of land transfer and the most important reason for decreasing carbon stock. The research results can provide support, in the form of scientific data, for land-use management decisions and carbon storage function protections in Zhengzhou and other cities around the world undergoing rapid urbanization.

Forecast of policy-driven land use change and its impact on ecosystem services in China: A case study of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Land use change is an important factor affecting the performance of ecosystem services (ESs). Therefore, understanding the impact of land use change on ESs is of great significance for promoting the coordination of regional human-land relationships. In this study, random forest and cellular automata were used to simulate and predict the characteristics of land use change in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and diversified land use evolution patterns were formed in combination with China's strategic development needs. The effects of habitat suitability on ESs were analyzed by using a multiscenario land use change model. The results demonstrated that the driving factors selected in this article had a good induction effect on the law of land use evolution, and the simulated land use change had high credibility. Under the mode of ecological protection and cultivated land protection, the expansion of construction land was greatly affected and was not conducive to social and economic development. Under the natural evolution mode, farmland was greatly encroached upon, and food security was greatly threatened. The regional coordination model had relative advantages, and all kinds of land use needs were met to a certain extent. The water production function of ESs was strong, but the carbon storage function was weak. The relationship between the habitat suitability index and ES changes under land use change revealed that there were significant differences in ES changes caused by ecological quality changes in mountainous and plain areas. This study provides a reference for promoting social and economic development and ecosystem integrity. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1473-1484. © 2023 SETAC.

Wetscapes: Restoring and maintaining peatland landscapes for sustainable futures.

Peatlands are among the world's most carbon-dense ecosystems and hotspots of carbon storage. Although peatland drainage causes strong carbon emissions, land subsidence, fires and biodiversity loss, drainage-based agriculture and forestry on peatland is still expanding on a global scale. To maintain and restore their vital carbon sequestration and storage function and to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement, rewetting and restoration of all drained and degraded peatlands is urgently required. However, socio-economic conditions and hydrological constraints hitherto prevent rewetting and restoration on largescale, which calls for rethinking landscape use. We here argue that creating integrated wetscapes (wet peatland landscapes), including nature preserve cores, buffer zones and paludiculture areas (for wet productive land use), will enable sustainable and complementary land-use functions on the landscape level. As such, transforming landscapes into wetscapes presents an inevitable, novel, ecologically and socio-economically sound alternative for drainage-based peatland use.

Analysis of the implementation effects of ecological restoration projects based on carbon storage and eco-environmental quality: A case study of the Yellow River Delta, China

As an important means to address global climate change and land-use/land-cover (LULC) change, ecological restoration projects (ERPs) have a large effect on carbon storage functions and eco-environmental quality. However, the various ERPs carried out in the Yellow River Delta region have important implications for ecological security strategies in China. Therefore, based on land-use data and remote sensing image data, with the help of ArcGIS and Google Earth Engine (GEE) platforms, this study uses the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model, an improved remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) model and other methods to deeply examine the evolutionary trends of eco-environmental quality and carbon storage during the implementation of ERPs in the Yellow River Delta and selects key implementation areas for in-depth analysis to determine the implementation effects of ERPs. Our findings suggested that the RSEI and carbon storage levels in the study area had opposite evolutionary trends from 2001 to 2020. Among them, the RSEI showed a fluctuating upwards trend (0.4461 (2001) and 0.5185 (2020)), while the total carbon stock showed a fluctuating downwards trend (30.67 Tg (2001) and 26.40 Tg (2020)). However, from 2015 to 2020, the RSEI and carbon storage were at a relatively stable level, which indirectly indicated that the ERPs carried out during the period from 2015 to 2020 had achieved a good comprehensive implementation effect. In addition, the areas with better improvement effects from 2015 to 2020 were primarily located in the mouth of the Yellow River Delta (Areas C and D), and their RSEI and the total carbon stock showed a certain upwards trend. This research can promote the formulation of the management strategy of ERPs in the Yellow River Delta, which is of tremendous importance to the ecological environmental preservation and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin.

The Combination of Plant Diversity and Soil Microbial Diversity Directly and Actively Drives the Multifunctionality of Grassland Ecosystems in the Middle Part of the Northern Slopes of the Tian Shan under Grazing Disturbance

It is well known that biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) guarantee the well-being of human society. Most studies have focused on the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function, and less is known about the individual and combined effects of above- and below-ground biodiversity on ecosystem multifunctionality under grazing disturbance. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between plant and soil microbial (bacterial and fungal) diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality under grazing disturbance by using multiple methods to assess ecosystem multifunctionality. We conducted experiments in desert grasslands on the northern slopes of the Tian Shan Mountains and compared the relationship between ecosystem multifunctionality and biodiversity assessed by different methods under light grazing and heavy grazing. Our results showed that at the heavy grazing level, ecosystem multifunctionality calculated by the mean method and plant diversity, soil fungal diversity, soil bacterial diversity and soil fertility calculated by the single function method showed a significant decrease (p &lt; 0.05), but grass productivity was significantly increased (p &lt; 0.05). Among them, ecosystem multifunctionality, soil carbon storage function and soil fertility all showed significant positive correlations with plant diversity and soil microbial diversity (p &lt; 0.05). We calculated that ecosystem multifunctionality also essentially showed positive correlation with plant diversity and soil microbial diversity using the multi-threshold method, and the effect curve was approximately a single-peaked curve, first increasing and then decreasing. Finally, we used plant diversity, soil fungal diversity and soil bacterial diversity under grazing disturbance as biotic factors and soil pH as an abiotic factor to construct structural equation models, and we found that grazing can have direct effects on ecosystem multifunctionality and indirect effects on ecosystem multifunctionality through above- and below-ground biodiversity. Our study emphasizes the importance of the combination of above- and below-ground biodiversity in maintaining the multifunctionality of desert grassland ecosystems on the northern slopes of the Tian Shan Mountains. A moderate reduction in grazing intensity can better conserve biodiversity and improve ecosystem multifunctionality, and it is a feasible strategy to maintain sustainable management of desert grasslands.

Soil organic carbon storage in Liaohe River Estuary Wetlands under restoration and multiple management strategies, based on landscape patterns

IntroductionManagement of coastal wetlands has resulted in extensive conservation of this natural resource; however, changes in carbon storage function are not yet known. There is a direct link between landscape and soil carbon storage. Predicting future changes in the landscape and carbon storage in coastal wetlands is important for developing wetland management policies.MethodHere, remote sensing and physical methods were used to measure and calculate the landscape and surface soil carbon stocks of the Liaohe River Estuary Wetland (LREW). The changes in the landscape and soil carbon stocks under three scenarios: natural development, strict protection, and culture pond transfer, were then predicted using the PLUS model.ResultThe results indicate that the surface soil organic carbon storage was 2107.97×103 t, while soil organic carbon density decreased from land to sea. Anthropogenic activity was found to be the main driver of the current landscape evolution. However, the impact of sea level rise is increasing. By 2030, considerably more storage will be gained under the culture pond transfer scenario than at present.DiscussionOur results reveal that some of the methods of ecological restoration may diminish the carbon storage capacity of coastal wetlands. Making full use of areas with high carbon storage potential may be an effective wetland carbon sink management strategy. Governments should consider more comprehensively for a better carbon pool when developing restoration strategies.

The partial contribution of CO2-emission losses from subsidence in small-holder oil palm plantation on a tropical peatland in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract. Astiani D, Widiastuti T, Ekamawanti HA, Ekyastuti W, Roslinda E, Mujiman. 2022. The partial contribution of CO2-emission losses from subsidence in small-holder oil palm plantation on a tropical peatland in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 6539-6545. Carbon storage in tropical peat ecosystems over thousands of years, especially within peat soil, is in huge quantity. Degradation of peat ecosystems is generally caused by human factors, whether intentional or not, damaging the carbon storage function of tropical peatlands, where forest clearing, drainage development, and burning of land converted to agriculture and plantations result in significant greenhouse gas emissions. Tropical peat in the Kubu Raya District of West Kalimantan, which has a relatively large area of peat, has been degraded as a cause of uncontrolled drainage and land fires caused by a lack of management after its forest cover was lost. The main impact is an increase in peat CO2 emissions due to changes in land use, especially lowering groundwater levels. Subsequently, the subsidence process also occurs after land clearing. This study aims to obtain the proportion of carbon biomass loss due to the CO2 emission process from reducing the peat layer due to subsidence. Data collection was executed for two years, where CO2 emission was monitored bi-weekly, and the subsidence was measured bi-monthly. The results demonstrate groundwater levels dictate the peat CO2 emission and subsidence. Lowering GWL 30 to -85 cm increases CO2 by more than three times, approximately. The rate of peat subsidence shows similar trends to the emission. The proportion of peat biomass loss on CO2 emission was between 58.9 to 73.5%, except for GWL ~5 cm, where the proportion was the highest at 82%. The results of this study are beneficial in explaining the part of the subsidence that impacts the sources of CO2 emissions from the small-holder oil palm and GWL management on peatlands.

Review of Ecosystem Typology of the Musi River Flow is Affected by Several Ecological Functions of Peat, Mangrove, and Estuarine Ecosystems

The Musi Watershed as a priority watershed is also contained in the Decree of the Minister of Forestry No. SK.328/Menhut-II/2009. The Musi watershed with an area of about a million ha is one of the 108 watersheds in Indonesia that was designated by the Minister of Forestry Decree No. SK.328/MenhutII/2009 as a priority watershed because of its critical condition. This condition is indicated by the area of critical land with a moderately critical to very critical category which reaches 1.7 million ha. Another indication is that the remaining forest cover in South Sumatra is 1,346.8 ha (± 15.6% of the total area of South Sumatra). Musi watershed is simply an area unit that drains water to the same point which is influenced by various ecosystems in it, such as Peatland is a unique ecosystem that has economic value, ecological value, and environmental function, and downstream there is a Mangrove ecosystem and Estuaries, this ecosystem from ecological and environmental functions, among others, has a high biodiversity value, a hydrological function in the management of storage and release of water, as well as a carbon storage function. South Sumatra has a peat area of 14 million ha or 16.3% of the total area, and this condition is one of the potential natural resources to be managed and utilized for the benefit and welfare of the entire community.