The influence of tree species on carbon storage in northern China

Abstract

Selection of tree species is an important management decision for increasing carbon storage in regional planting programs in China. This study quantifies above and belowground carbon storage by several species in the Desertification Combating Program around Beijing and Tianjin (DCBT). Results show that the total carbon storage of the Pinus davidiana plantation was significantly higher than that of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica but not significantly differ from plantations of Pinus tabulaeformis and Larix gmelinii var. principis-rupprechtii. Most of the carbon was in the aboveground biomass. These results suggest that tree species have substantial influences on carbon storage, and that species should be considered in improving carbon sequestration potential for afforestation/reforestation projects.