Variation in Carbon Fraction, Density, and Carbon Density in Conifer Tree Tissues

Jones, Dryw A.; O’Hara, Kevin L.

doi:10.3390/f9070430

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Our study uncovers the following general patterns in CFs across dead wood globally: (A) lower dead wood CFs in tropical vs. other forest biomes, (B) lower dead wood CFs in angiosperms vs. gymnosperms, and (C) higher dead wood CFs in bark vs. other tissues (Table 1 ). These results are consistent with studies on live wood CF variability 18 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 47 , and perhaps are not surprising given the statistically significant relationship between dead and live wood CFs observed in a subset of tree species evaluated here (Supplementary Fig. 1 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Data on CF from live trees also suggest that tissue-specific variability in dead wood CF will be pronounced. Specifically, there is likely to be especially high CFs in bark vs. other tissues, due to their high concentrations of C-rich and recalcitrant compounds such as lignin, suberin, and tannins 32 – 35 . Finally, the position of dead wood—that is, standing vs. downed—may also influence CFs 12 , but hypotheses and findings related to this are mixed with some research suggesting that standing dead wood has higher CFs vs. downed wood 26 , while other lines of evidence suggest the opposite 36 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Carbon fractions in the world’s dead wood

et al. 2021

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A key uncertainty in quantifying dead wood carbon (C) stocks—which comprise ~8% of total forest C pools globally—is a lack of accurate dead wood C fractions (CFs) that are employed to convert dead woody biomass into C. Most C estimation protocols utilize a default dead wood CF of 50%, but live tree studies suggest this value is an over-estimate. Here, we compile and analyze a global database of dead wood CFs in trees, showing that dead wood CFs average 48.5% across forests, deviating significantly from 50%, and varying systematically among biomes, taxonomic divisions, tissue types, and decay classes. Utilizing data-driven dead wood CFs in tropical forests alone may correct systematic overestimates in dead wood C stocks of ~3.0 Pg C: an estimate approaching nearly the entire dead wood C pool in the temperate forest biome. We provide for the first time, robust empirical dead wood CFs to inform global forest C estimation.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon fractions in the world’s dead wood

et al. 2021

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“…Carbon content ((CC), also referred to as carbon fraction or carbon concentration) is known to vary with tree species [4][5][6][7][8][9][10], wood tissues [4,5,7,[10][11][12][13][14], canopy position and tree size [15,16], and life-history traits (e.g., shade tolerance) [12]. Stand density management practices, used for the sustainable production of renewable forest fiber, increase radial growth rates with increased intensity of thinning [17,18] and initial spacing [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation of White Spruce Carbon Content with Age, Height, Social Classes and Silvicultural Management

et al. 2021

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The accuracy and precision with which carbon amounts have been accounted for in forests have been questioned. As countries seek to comply with agreements to reduce global warming and industries seek to maximize bioenergy potential, this matter has increased international concern. White spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) stand density management trials in the Petawawa Research Forest, Ontario, Canada, were sampled to evaluate carbon concentration variation within trees and plots of differing stand density. Sample-drying methodologies were also tested to compare freeze-dried carbon (FDC) and oven-dried carbon (ODC) measurements. The average FDC was 51.80 ± 1.19%, and the corrected freeze-dried carbon content (FDCCOR) was 51.76 ± 1.33%. The average ODC was 49.10 ± 0.92%, and the average volatile carbon fraction (Cvol) was 2.67 ± 1.71%. FDC was higher than ODC (mean of the differences = 2.52) and generally more variable. ODC significantly decreased radially and longitudinally. FDC was significantly affected by thinning, where heavy treatments resulted in the highest FDC amounts compared to medium, light, and control treatments. In addition to reducing carbon content (CC), drying influences wood CC in many ways that are still to be elucidated. The results of this study suggest that ODC should continue to be used within the bioenergy industry, while FDC must become the preferred standard for carbon accounting protocols.

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“…Wood C concentrations – defined as the unit mass of C per unit mass of dry wood, and the focus of our research here – is a wood trait that has recently received research attention. Studies have demonstrated that wood C is highly variable across tree species (Lamlom & Savidge, 2003; Martin & Thomas, 2011; Gao et al ., 2016; Jones & O’Hara, 2018), with a recent global meta‐analysis indicating that wood C concentrations range from 28 to 65% (on mass per mass basis) across species and tissue types (Martin et al ., 2018). This same meta‐analysis reported a global average wood C concentration of 47.6 ± 0.9% (SE) across all tree species and tissues – a value that differs substantially from the 50% wood C concentration value that is commonly assumed in forest C accounting protocols (Martin et al ., 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon concentration in the world's trees across climatic gradients

et al. 2021

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Wood carbon (C) concentration is a key wood trait that varies widely among tree species, but our understanding of the factors governing this trait is limited, despite reason to hypothesize that wood C varies systematically across environmental gradients. We compiled a novel database of 1145 geo‐referenced wood C observations from 415 species, to elucidate climate correlates of wood C concentrations, and test if these relationships differ across tissue types and major taxonomic divisions (i.e. angiosperms vs gymnosperms). Climate variables, including mean annual temperature (MAT) and precipitation and temperature seasonality, are significantly correlated with wood C concentrations. Relationships between wood C and these variables differ across tissue types and taxonomic divisions, yet there is a negative relationship between wood C and MAT that exists across all tissues and species groups. Wood C concentrations in trees are influenced by climate, with experimental evidence (albeit scant) indicating that climate‐driven changes in lignin concentrations likely govern these relationships. Our study presents among the first lines of evidence indicating that wood C concentrations are correlated with environmental conditions, thereby enhancing our understanding of the potential adaptive significance of wood C variation in trees.

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Variation in Carbon Fraction, Density, and Carbon Density in Conifer Tree Tissues

Cited by 13 publications

References 44 publications

Carbon fractions in the world’s dead wood

Carbon fractions in the world’s dead wood

Variation of White Spruce Carbon Content with Age, Height, Social Classes and Silvicultural Management

Carbon concentration in the world's trees across climatic gradients

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