C and N concentrations in different compartments of outgrown oak coppice forests under different site conditions in Central Italy

Abstract

& Context Harvesting of Mediterranean oak coppice forests has been progressively suspended on a share of cover over the last decades. Positive growth trend in outgrown coppices no longer harvested on short rotations now drives natural forest restoration on wide areas, and it represents a potential carbon sink in view of global warming. & Aims Our goals were to estimate carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content per compartment in two deciduous oak outgrown coppice forests, aged differently and growing under unequal site quality, to verify whether C concentration across compartments is in agreement with the conventional conversion rate of 0.5. & Methods Ecosystem C and N pools were assessed by multiplying the whole coppice mass (combining specific allometric functions, root-to-shoot ratio, and soil sampling) by respective C and N concentrations. & Results The results point out that the largest percentage of N was stored in 15-cm topsoil (84.06 and 73.34 % at the younger and older site, respectively), whereas the proportion of organic ecosystem C pool was more variable, as a consequence of the amount and allocation of phytomass. We found that, in most cases, C concentration was less than the conventional conversion rate of 0.5, especially in deadwood, O layer, and root compartments. & Conclusion The findings provide further knowledge of C and N storage into these new built-up forest types and the evidence that a detailed analysis may get higher accuracy in the pools estimate, producing a more reliable outlook on dynamics and climate change mitigation ability of these systems.

Management of winter cover crop residues under different tillage conditions affects nitrogen utilization efficiency and yield of eggplant (Solanum melanogena L.) in Mediterranean environment

“…A sub-sample of each cover crop aboveground biomass was weighed wet and dried at 60 C until constant weight in order to determine the dry matter and moisture concentration. Samples of dried cover crop aboveground biomass were homogenized using a mill for biomass and the nitrogen content was determined with an elementary analyzer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, model FlashEA 1112 NC Analyzer, Bath, UK) (Di Matteo et al, 2014). The remaining subsamples were used to fill nylon bags (10 cm  10 cm, 10 cm  14 cm, and 10 cm  32 cm to be used in RS, MT, and CT, respectively) in order to determine the cover crop biomass reduction and the amount of nitrogen left in the residues (Campiglia et al, 2014a).…”

Identifying priority conservation areas for above-ground carbon sequestration in Central Mexico

“…1 is conservative in its estimates of carbon because it only includes volume from tree species with marketable timber diameters, excluding aboveground biomass from unmerchantable species, trees with diameters less than 15 cm DBH, brushwood, and foliage (Di Matteo et al 2014). Other important forest compartments not considered include deadwood, litterfall, below-ground plant biomass and soil carbon (Weggler et al 2012, Ruiz-Peinado et al 2013.…”

Carbon Stocks of Fine Woody Debris in Coppice Oak Forests at Different Development Stages

“…Estimation of carbon storage in forest ecosystems plays a key role, particularly in combating climate change [12]. Also, the ability of forests to function as net carbon sinks may be enhanced through carefully planned forest carbon sequestration projects [13]; on the other hand, quantifying the dynamics of forest detritus C accumulation and turnover under a scenario of global climate warming is critical to predicting the future inventory of C stocks [14].…”

“…Also, the ability of forests to function as net carbon sinks may be enhanced through carefully planned forest carbon sequestration projects [13]; on the other hand, quantifying the dynamics of forest detritus C accumulation and turnover under a scenario of global climate warming is critical to predicting the future inventory of C stocks [14]. In addition, there is a great need for knowledge and correct carbon estimations in different ecosystem compartments (such as aboveground parts, ground cover, dead wood, woody debris, forest floor, and soil) in forests [12,15]. Highly accurate data is needed to help generate correct estimations and minimize potential mistakes [12].…”

“…In addition, there is a great need for knowledge and correct carbon estimations in different ecosystem compartments (such as aboveground parts, ground cover, dead wood, woody debris, forest floor, and soil) in forests [12,15]. Highly accurate data is needed to help generate correct estimations and minimize potential mistakes [12]. The importance placed on carbon storage estimation is likely one of the most notable recent changes in forest management [16].…”