Carbon Sequestration by Fruit Trees - Chinese Apple Orchards as an Example

Abstract

Apple production systems are an important component in the Chinese agricultural sector with 1.99 million ha plantation. The orchards in China could play an important role in the carbon (C) cycle of terrestrial ecosystems and contribute to C sequestration. The carbon sequestration capability in apple orchards was analyzed through identifying a set of potential assessment factors and their weighting factors determined by a field model study and literature. The dynamics of the net C sink in apple orchards in China was estimated based on the apple orchard inventory data from 1990s and the capability analysis. The field study showed that the trees reached the peak of C sequestration capability when they were 18 years old, and then the capability began to decline with age. Carbon emission derived from management practices would not be compensated through C storage in apple trees before reaching the mature stage. The net C sink in apple orchards in China ranged from 14 to 32 Tg C, and C storage in biomass from 230 to 475 Tg C between 1990 and 2010. The estimated net C sequestration in Chinese apple orchards from 1990 to 2010 was equal to 4.5% of the total net C sink in the terrestrial ecosystems in China. Therefore, apple production systems can be potentially considered as C sinks excluding the energy associated with fruit production in addition to provide fruits.

Life Cycle–based Assessment of Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Almond Production, Part II: Uncertainty Analysis through Sensitivity Analysis and Scenario Testing

“…The results obtained from this approach were generally consistent with findings of tree growth in other orchard crops, such as apples (Wu et al. ) and pistachios (Agueron and Roberts ) as well as stand growth models used in forestry applications (Landsberg and Waring ). An additional tree growth model is included in the scenario analysis estimated by fitting two separate logarithmic curves, one describing juvenile tree growth and one for the mature tree, such that approximately 80% of biomass accumulation occurs by year 7, in accord with data collected from grower interviews (scenario B1).…”

Allometric Models for Estimating Carbon Fixation in Citrus Trees

“…Variables with the highest R 2 values were selected as predictor parameters in the different NPP compartments. The equations chosen are coincident with those most commonly used in the prediction of NPP in fruit and forest ecosystems through biometric variables (Jiang et al, 1999; King et al, 1999; Chambers et al, 2001; Drissi et al, 2009; Skinner et al, 2011; Tian et al, 2012; Wu et al, 2012).…”

A review on biological systems for CO2 sequestration: Organisms and their pathways

“…The drawback of using fruit trees such as apple for carbon management is that the capability of CO 2 sequestration decreases with age of the tree. Apple trees older than 8 yr could be considered as a carbon sink and the trees reach their peak of CO 2 sequestration capability at the age of 18 yr after which there is a decline in sequestration of CO 2 . The sequestration capability also depends upon the climatic conditions.…”