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Effect of Elevation Gradient on Carbon Pools in a Juniperus przewalskii Kom. Forest in Qinghai, China

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  • Zhenjie Dong

    (College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China)

  • Lin Hou

    (College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
    Qinling National Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Ningshan 711603, China)

  • Qi Ruan

    (College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China)

Abstract

Forest ecosystems are an important component of the global carbon cycle. Carbon density (CD; carbon mass per unit area) elevational changes in the vegetation, litter, and soil of forest ecosystems, are poorly understood. We investigated CD variations in arbor, shrubs, herbs, litter, and soils in a Juniperus przewalskii Kom. (Przewalski’s juniper) forest at 2900–3900 m above sea level (a.s.l.) in Qinghai Province, China. The average CD of vegetation (VCD) and litter (LCD) were 76.53 and 1.21 t hm −2 , respectively, and the CD increased with increasing elevation, to maximum values of 114.02 and 1.39 t hm −2 , respectively, at 3500–3700 m a.s.l., before decreasing at higher elevations. The soil carbon density (SCD) gradually decreased from 2900 to 3500 m a.s.l., sharply increased from 3500 to 3700 m a.s.l., peaking at 217.84 t hm −2 , and then sharply decreased. The maximum ecosystem carbon density (ECD, 333.25 t hm −2 ) occurred between 3500 and 3700 m a.s.l. The VCD and ECD were significantly and positively correlated with elevation and annual average precipitation (AAP, p < 0.01), and negatively correlated with annual average temperature (AAT, p < 0.05). These may be key factors in determining CD distribution. This study reveals that conserving high-elevation forests is important for enhancing organic carbon accumulation in the ecosystem.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhenjie Dong & Lin Hou & Qi Ruan, 2023. "Effect of Elevation Gradient on Carbon Pools in a Juniperus przewalskii Kom. Forest in Qinghai, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:7:p:6163-:d:1115003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Eric A. Davidson & Susan E. Trumbore & Ronald Amundson, 2000. "Soil warming and organic carbon content," Nature, Nature, vol. 408(6814), pages 789-790, December.
    3. Jane Qiu, 2008. "China: The third pole," Nature, Nature, vol. 454(7203), pages 393-396, July.
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