Soil phosphorus and biomass carbon co-determine plantation soil organic carbon density: a case study in western Beijing, China
Shiqiang Wang
A B C * and Yanpei Guo D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Key Laboratory of Forest Management and Growth Modelling, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, P.R. China.
B State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, P.R. China.
C University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P.R. China.
D Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P.R. China.
Soil Research 61(7) 674-684 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR22267
Submitted: 20 December 2022 Accepted: 21 July 2023 Published: 15 August 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
Context: Studies of afforestation have traditionally neglected the influences of plant microhabitats on the growth and carbon sink capacities of planted forests.
Aims: We investigated the potential mechanisms related to the relationship of afforestation elevation to soil organic carbon density (SOCD).
Methods: The carbon density of three plantation ecosystems and barren land soils were evaluated at two elevations in the Donglingshan Mountains of Beijing, with structural equation modelling and variation partitioning analyses used to identify the environmental factors that influenced the carbon densities of plantation ecosystems.
Key results: Afforestation elevation was related to the vegetation phenology of plantation forests. Specifically, growth periods at higher elevations were delayed relative to those at lower elevations, while different growth periods affected growth rate of diameter at breast height (RDBH), in addition to the carbon and nitrogen contents of ground surface litters. Consequently, lower elevation afforestation reduced the carbon sink capacity of coniferous plantation ecosystems in the study area. Lower plantation elevations were associated with significantly reduced RDBH values of Pinus tabuliformis. Further, biomass carbon density (BCD) and SOCD of Larix principis-rupprechtii plantations were significantly lower due to decreased elevations. Soil nitrogen concentrations, litter nitrogen density (LND), soil phosphorus concentrations, and BCD were the primary drivers of plantation SOCD.
Conclusions: Overall, different plantation elevations were associated with different vegetation phenologies and RDBH values, which further affected LND and BCD, thereby ultimately affecting variation of SOCD.
Implications: This study provides important insights into the selection of afforestation plots to maximise plantation carbon sequestration capacities.
Keywords: afforestation, coniferous plantation, elevation, impact factor, soil carbon, tree species, vegetation phenology, warm temperate climate.
References
Aber JA, Melillo JM (2001) ‘Terrestrial ecosystems.’ 2nd edn. (Saunders College Publishers: New York, USA)Appenzeller T (2015) The new North-stoked by climate change, fire and insects are remaking the planet’s vast boreal forest. Science 349, 806–809.
| The new North-stoked by climate change, fire and insects are remaking the planet’s vast boreal forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Asner GP, Martin RE, Tupayachi R, Anderson CB, Sinca F, Carranza-Jiménez L, Martinez P (2014) Amazonian functional diversity from forest canopy chemical assembly. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 111, 5604–5609.
| Amazonian functional diversity from forest canopy chemical assembly.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baddeley JA, Edwards AC, Watson CA (2017) Changes in soil C and N stocks and C:N stoichiometry 21 years after land use change on an arable mineral topsoil. Geoderma 303, 19–26.
| Changes in soil C and N stocks and C:N stoichiometry 21 years after land use change on an arable mineral topsoil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bárcena TG, Kiær LP, Vesterdal L, Stefánsdóttir HM, Gundersen P, Sigurdsson BD (2014) Soil carbon stock change following afforestation in Northern Europe: a meta-analysis. Global Change Biology 20, 2393–2405.
| Soil carbon stock change following afforestation in Northern Europe: a meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cao S (2008) Why large-scale afforestation efforts in China have failed to solve the desertification problem. Environmental Science & Technology 42, 1826–1831.
| Why large-scale afforestation efforts in China have failed to solve the desertification problem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cao J, Wang X, Tian Y, Wen Z, Zha T (2012) Pattern of carbon allocation across three different stages of stand development of a Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) forest. Ecological Research 27, 883–892.
| Pattern of carbon allocation across three different stages of stand development of a Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Castro M, Fernandez-Nuñez E (2014) Soil properties and understory herbaceous biomass in forests of three species of Quercus in Northeast Portugal. Forest Systems 23, 425–437.
| Soil properties and understory herbaceous biomass in forests of three species of Quercus in Northeast Portugal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chang R, Jin T, Lü Y, Liu G, Fu B (2014) Soil carbon and nitrogen changes following afforestation of marginal cropland across a precipitation gradient in Loess Plateau of China. PLoS ONE 9, e85426
| Soil carbon and nitrogen changes following afforestation of marginal cropland across a precipitation gradient in Loess Plateau of China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chen CG, Guo XF (1984) The biomass of broadleaved Korean pine forest. Forest Investigation Design 10–19.
Chen CG, Zhu JF (1989) ‘Handbook of major forest biomass in Northeast China.’ (China Forestry Press: Beijing)
Chen S, Wang W, Xu W, Wang Y, Wan H, Chen D, Tang Z, Tang X, Zhou G, Xie Z, Zhou D, Shangguan Z, Huang J, He JS, Wang Y, Sheng J, Tang L, Li X, Dong M, Wu Y, Wang Q, Wang Z, Wu J, Chapin FS, Bai Y (2018) Plant diversity enhances productivity and soil carbon storage. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 115, 4027–4032.
| Plant diversity enhances productivity and soil carbon storage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
de Lima RAF, Oliveira AA, Pitta GR, de Gasper AL, Vibrans AC, Chave J, ter Steege H, Prado PI (2020) The erosion of biodiversity and biomass in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. Nature Communications 11, 6347
| The erosion of biodiversity and biomass in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Deng M, Liu L, Jiang L, Liu W, Wang X, Li S, Yang S, Wang B (2018) Ecosystem scale trade-off in nitrogen acquisition pathways. Nature Ecology & Evolution 2, 1724–1734.
| Ecosystem scale trade-off in nitrogen acquisition pathways.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Elser JJ, Fagan WF, Kerkhoff AJ, Swenson NG, Enquist BJ (2010) Biological stoichiometry of plant production: metabolism, scaling and ecological response to global change. New Phytologist 186, 593–608.
| Biological stoichiometry of plant production: metabolism, scaling and ecological response to global change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gao J, Feng J, Zhang X, Yu FH, Xu X, Kuzyakov Y (2016) Drying-rewetting cycles alter carbon and nitrogen mineralization in litter-amended alpine wetland soil. CATENA 145, 285–290.
| Drying-rewetting cycles alter carbon and nitrogen mineralization in litter-amended alpine wetland soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ge QS, Dai JH, Zheng JY (2010) The progress of phenology studies and challenges to modern phenology research in China. Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences 25, 310–316.
| The progress of phenology studies and challenges to modern phenology research in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gong L, Liu G, Li Z, Ye X, Wang H (2017) Altitudinal changes in nitrogen, organic carbon, and its labile fractions in different soil layers in an Abies faxoniana forest in Wolong. Acta Ecologica Sinica 37, 4696–4705.
Guan JH, Deng L, Zhang JG, He QY, Shi WY, Li G, Du S (2019) Soil organic carbon density and its driving factors in forest ecosystems across a northwestern province in China. Geoderma 352, 1–12.
| Soil organic carbon density and its driving factors in forest ecosystems across a northwestern province in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Guo Y, Yang X, Schöb C, Jiang Y, Tang Z (2017) Legume shrubs are more nitrogen-homeostatic than non-legume shrubs. Frontiers in Plant Science 8, 1662
| Legume shrubs are more nitrogen-homeostatic than non-legume shrubs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hu YL, Zeng DH, Ma XQ, Chang SX (2016) Root rather than leaf litter input drives soil carbon sequestration after afforestation on a marginal cropland. Forest Ecology and Management 362, 38–45.
| Root rather than leaf litter input drives soil carbon sequestration after afforestation on a marginal cropland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Laganière J, Angers DA, Paré D (2010) Carbon accumulation in agricultural soils after afforestation: a meta-analysis. Global Change Biology 16, 439–453.
| Carbon accumulation in agricultural soils after afforestation: a meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Li S, Hao GY, Niinemets U, Harley PC, Wanke S, Lens F, Zhang YJ, Cao KF (2019) The effects of intervessel pit characteristics on xylem hydraulic efficiency and photosynthesis in hemiepiphytic and non-hemiepiphytic Ficus species. Physiologia Plantarum 167, 661–675.
| The effects of intervessel pit characteristics on xylem hydraulic efficiency and photosynthesis in hemiepiphytic and non-hemiepiphytic Ficus species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Liu X, Trogisch S, He JS, Niklaus PA, Bruelheide H, Tang Z, Erfmeier A, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Pietsch KA, Yang B, Kühn P, Scholten T, Huang Y, Wang C, Staab M, Leppert KN, Wirth C, Schmid B, Ma K (2018) Tree species richness increases ecosystem carbon storage in subtropical forests. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 285, 20181240
| Tree species richness increases ecosystem carbon storage in subtropical forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lu F, Hu H, Sun W, Zhu J, Liu G, Zhou W, Zhang Q, Shi P, Liu X, Wu X, Zhang L, Wei X, Dai L, Zhang K, Sun Y, Xue S, Zhang W, Xiong D, Deng L, Liu B, Zhou L, Zhang C, Zheng X, Cao J, Huang Y, He N, Zhou G, Bai Y, Xie Z, Tang Z, Wu B, Fang J, Liu G, Yu G (2018) Effects of national ecological restoration projects on carbon sequestration in China from 2001 to 2010. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 115, 4039–4044.
| Effects of national ecological restoration projects on carbon sequestration in China from 2001 to 2010.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lucas Y (2001) The role of plants in controlling rates and products of weathering: importance of biological pumping. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 29, 135–163.
| The role of plants in controlling rates and products of weathering: importance of biological pumping.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Luo YJ, Wang XK, Zhang XQ, Yan F (2013) ‘China forest ecosystem biomass and its allocation research.’ (China Forestry Press: Beijing)
Luo YJ, Wang XK, Yan F (2015) ‘China’s main forest biomass model manual.’ (China Forestry Press: Beijing)
Mayor JR, Sanders NJ, Classen AT, Bardgett RD, Clément JC, Fajardo A, Lavorel S, Sundqvist MK, Bahn M, Chisholm C, Cieraad E, Gedalof Z, Grigulis K, Kudo G, Oberski DL, Wardle DA (2017) Elevation alters ecosystem properties across temperate treelines globally. Nature 542, 91–95.
| Elevation alters ecosystem properties across temperate treelines globally.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Miller JB (2008) Sources, sinks and seasons. Nature 451, 26–27.
| Sources, sinks and seasons.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moser G, Leuschner C, Hertel D, Graefe S, Soethe N, Iost S (2011) Elevation effects on the carbon budget of tropical mountain forests (S Ecuador): the role of the belowground compartment. Global Change Biology 17, 2211–2226.
| Elevation effects on the carbon budget of tropical mountain forests (S Ecuador): the role of the belowground compartment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Negash M, Starr M (2015) Biomass and soil carbon stocks of indigenous agroforestry systems on the south-eastern Rift Valley escarpment, Ethiopia. Plant and Soil 393, 95–107.
| Biomass and soil carbon stocks of indigenous agroforestry systems on the south-eastern Rift Valley escarpment, Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Qin S, Chen L, Fang K, Zhang Q, Wang J, Liu F, Yu J, Yang Y (2019) Temperature sensitivity of SOM decomposition governed by aggregate protection and microbial communities. Science Advances 5, eaau1218
| Temperature sensitivity of SOM decomposition governed by aggregate protection and microbial communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ren C, Kang D, Wu JP, Zhao F, Yang G, Han X, Feng Y, Ren G (2016) Temporal variation in soil enzyme activities after afforestation in the Loess Plateau, China. Geoderma 282, 103–111.
| Temporal variation in soil enzyme activities after afforestation in the Loess Plateau, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rodeghiero M, Cescatti A (2005) Main determinants of forest soil respiration along an elevation/temperature gradient in the Italian Alps. Global Change Biology 11, 1024–1041.
| Main determinants of forest soil respiration along an elevation/temperature gradient in the Italian Alps.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sanders-DeMott R, Ouimette AP, Lepine LC, Fogarty SZ, Burakowski EA, Contosta AR, Ollinger SV (2020) Divergent carbon cycle response of forest and grass-dominated northern temperate ecosystems to record winter warming. Global Change Biology 26, 1519–1531.
| Divergent carbon cycle response of forest and grass-dominated northern temperate ecosystems to record winter warming.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schwartz MD, Ahas R, Aasa A (2006) Onset of spring starting earlier across the Northern Hemisphere. Global Change Biology 12, 343–351.
| Onset of spring starting earlier across the Northern Hemisphere.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Spielvogel S, Prietzel J, Auerswald K, Kögel-Knabner I (2009) Site-specific spatial patterns of soil organic carbon stocks in different landscape units of a high-elevation forest including a site with forest dieback. Geoderma 152, 218–230.
| Site-specific spatial patterns of soil organic carbon stocks in different landscape units of a high-elevation forest including a site with forest dieback.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang SQ, Yu GR (2008) Ecological stoichiometry characteristics of ecosystem carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus elements. Acta Ecologica Sinica 28, 3937–3947.
Wang CM, Shao B, Wang RN (2010) Carbon sequestration potential of ecosystem of two main tree species in Northeast China. Acta Ecologica Sinica 30, 1764–1772.
Wang H, Liu S, Wang J, Shi Z, Lu L, Zeng J, Ming A, Tang J, Yu H (2013a) Effects of tree species mixture on soil organic carbon stocks and greenhouse gas fluxes in subtropical plantations in China. Forest Ecology and Management 300, 4–13.
| Effects of tree species mixture on soil organic carbon stocks and greenhouse gas fluxes in subtropical plantations in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang QK, Wang SL, Zhong MC (2013b) Ecosystem carbon storage and soil organic carbon stability in pure and mixed stands of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Michelia macclurei. Plant and Soil 370, 295–304.
| Ecosystem carbon storage and soil organic carbon stability in pure and mixed stands of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Michelia macclurei.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang J, You Y, Tang Z, Liu S, Sun OJ (2015) Variations in leaf litter decomposition across contrasting forest stands and controlling factors at local scale. Journal of Plant Ecology 8, 261–272.
| Variations in leaf litter decomposition across contrasting forest stands and controlling factors at local scale.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang Y, Wang H, He JS, Feng X (2017) Iron-mediated soil carbon response to water-table decline in an alpine wetland. Nature Communications 8, 15972
| Iron-mediated soil carbon response to water-table decline in an alpine wetland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang AY, Han SJ, Zhang JH, Wang M, Yin XH, Fang LD, Yang D, Hao GY (2018) The interaction between nonstructural carbohydrate reserves and xylem hydraulics in Korean pine trees across an altitudinal gradient. Tree Physiology 38, 1792–1804.
| The interaction between nonstructural carbohydrate reserves and xylem hydraulics in Korean pine trees across an altitudinal gradient.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Xing XY, Hao PY, Li GH, Li H, Dong L (2018) Seasonal dynamic of plant phenophases in Beijing – a case study in Beijing Botanical Garden. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology 42, 906–916.
| Seasonal dynamic of plant phenophases in Beijing – a case study in Beijing Botanical Garden.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Xiong K, Zhao Y, Chen J, Zhang Y, Zhao G, Yang H, Shi Z, Xu G (2022) Spatial heterogeneity of soil pH and nutrients in Miyaluo Subalpine dark coniferous forest of western Sichuan, southwestern China. Journal of Beijing Forestry University 44, 55–64.
| Spatial heterogeneity of soil pH and nutrients in Miyaluo Subalpine dark coniferous forest of western Sichuan, southwestern China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yan Z, Han W, Peñuelas J, Sardans J, Elser JJ, Du E, Reich PB, Fang J (2016) Phosphorus accumulates faster than nitrogen globally in freshwater ecosystems under anthropogenic impacts. Ecology Letters 19, 1237–1246.
| Phosphorus accumulates faster than nitrogen globally in freshwater ecosystems under anthropogenic impacts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
