The Effects of Stand Density Control on Carbon Cycle in Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold and Zucc.) Endl. Forests

Abstract

This study was conducted to quantify the carbon storage in each pool (including trees, forest floor, and soil) and to analyze the carbon cycle in a Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold and Zucc.) Endl. forest according to different thinning intensities. The study site was located in Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do, and the treatments consisted of a control (Con), a light thinning (LT), and a heavy thinning (HT), based on 3000 trees originally planted per hectare. As stand density decreased, total C storage decreased, and the annual C storage of trees and C released through soil respiration significantly increased. Net ecosystem production (NEP; Mg·C·ha−1·year−1), as the difference between net primary production and microbial respiration, was 1.95, 2.49, and 2.11 in the Con, LT, and HT treatments, respectively; i.e., the LT stimulated greater NEP than the Con and HT treatments. While these results show that thinning decreases total C storage of forests, proper thinning enhances carbon uptake capacity. In addition, this study can be a basic reference for the effects of thinning on forest carbon cycles. Repeated measurements of each C pool should be performed over multiple years to see the exact movement patterns of forest carbon in the future.

Multi-Scenario Land Use/Cover Change and Its Impact on Carbon Storage Based on the Coupled GMOP-PLUS-InVEST Model in the Hexi Corridor, China

“…Firstly, the InVEST model employed herein simplifies the carbon cycle, presupposing a linear relationship between regional carbon sequestration and time [62]. However, carbon density is subject to variations induced by human activities and environmental factors, displaying temporal and spatial fluctuations [63]. Moreover, this model considers land use change as the sole determinant of carbon storage variations.…”

“…The effects of LUCC on atmospheric circulation and landmark reflectance were ignored [64]. Additionally, the soil type, photosynthetic rate, and seasonal changes to vegetation [63] all have certain effects on carbon storage, which will inevitably bring errors to the assessment results [65]. The carbon pools in this study were derived using a model parameter correction method, based on findings from previous research.…”