Reforestation is a mitigation option to reduce increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels as well as its predicted climate change. As a result, several forestry-based carbon storage projects have been introduced in many countries. To quantify the dynamics of ecosystem carbon allocation as affected by different forest management practices, we measured the above-and belowground biomass accumulation over 14 years, as well as the tissue carbon concentrations of trees in four different types: three monospecific plantations of slash pine (Pinus elliottii) (SPP), Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) (CFP), and tea-oil camellia (Camellia oleifera) (TCP) and one natural secondary forest (NSF) (Pinus massoniana and Cyclobalanopsis glauca). A regression equation was constructed using the diameter at breast height/basal diameter (DBH/BD) and elements of total tree biomass. The equation was subsequently utilized to estimate tree carbon storage. The carbon storage of understory, forest floor, and soil components was also estimated. Results indicated that NSF stored significantly more carbon (141.99 t/ha) than SPP (104.07 t/ha), CFP (102.95 t/ ha), and TCP (113.09 t/ha). Most of the carbon was found in the soil pool (60.30% in SPP, 70.42% in CFP, 63.87% in TCP, and 59.36% in NSF). In addition, more than 60% of the soil carbon storage at 0-100 cm depth was stored in the upper 40 cm. With the exception of trees, each component of NSF, including the understudy, forest floor, and soil, possessed significantly higher carbon storage than that of the three plantations ( p < 0.05). Soil surface disturbance during forest management practices was one of the main factors reducing the soil and understory carbon storage of tree plantation stands. These results suggest that natural restoration is a superior approach for increasing the carbon storage potential in the hilly red soil region in reforestation projects compared to plantations. In addition, reducing soil surface disturbance during forest management practices might also play an important factor in improving carbon sequestration potential in above tree plantations. #
Summary Vegetation structure and soil properties are not only correlated with forest management practices, but also affect soil and water loss significantly. To estimate the long-term influences of regenerating forest cover on soil and water loss from degraded land, the runoff and soil loss in the context of different forest restoration approaches, including a control plot (CL) and plantations of slash pine (Pinus elliottii), Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), tea-oil camellia (Camellia oleifera), and natural secondary forest, were monitored in runoff plots over a 4-year period (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003) in a hilly red soil region in Southern China. Relevant ecological factors and management intensity, were also measured. The results indicated that the four forest restoration approaches decreased surface runoff by 63.0-88.1% and soil erosion by 75.5-97.1% compared to the control. Moreover, runoff and soil erosion in tea-camellia plantation (TCP) and natural secondary forest (NSF) plots were significantly lower than with other treatments. Canopy cover, litter fall, plant roots, plant life forms, soil properties, and vegetation structure are important ecological factors that determine the magnitude of soil loss. Vegetation structure and plant life forms are the main factors reducing surface runoff and the movement of sediments. Effective control of soil and water loss in NSF and TCP are closely related to multiply stratified communities and the presence of specific plant life forms (the herbaceous keystone species Dicranopteris linearis), respectively. In addition, the above mentioned factors were sensitive to forest management patterns, including improper mechanical cultivation. Management practices should attempt to minimize disturbances to these factors to control runoff and soil erosion in each forest management unit. In particular, mechanical cultivation should loosen the soil around the base of a tree only, instead of over the entire ground surface, in the early stages of forest restoration. ª
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