Carbon and nitrogen distribution across a chronosequence of secondary lacebark pine in China

Abstract

Information about carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools is lacking for lacebark pine forests. Ecosystem C (93.38-240.34 Mg C ha-1) and N (6.60-8.63 Mg N ha"1) increased with stand age. This pattern applied to all tree components and litter. However, changes in C and N stocks during stand development showed the reverse U-shaped pattern for the understory and for mineral soil. Mineral soil was the dominant N pool for all stands (79%-96%) and the largest C pool in younger stands (53%-71%). Trees were the largest C pool in older stands (55%-62%). The contribution of trees to ecosystem C and N pools increased with stand age but that of mineral soil decreased with stand age. These findings contribute to the development and evaluation of forest C and N storage models and to forest management for enhancing C. sequestration.