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Topographic variation in aboveground biomass in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in China.

Authors :
Lin D
Lai J
Muller-Landau HC
Mi X
Ma K
Source :
PloS one [PLoS One] 2012; Vol. 7 (10), pp. e48244. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Oct 30.
Publication Year :
2012

Abstract

The subtropical forest biome occupies about 25% of China, with species diversity only next to tropical forests. Despite the recognized importance of subtropical forest in regional carbon storage and cycling, uncertainties remain regarding the carbon storage of subtropical forests, and few studies have quantified within-site variation of biomass, making it difficult to evaluate the role of these forests in the global and regional carbon cycles. Using data for a 24-ha census plot in east China, we quantify aboveground biomass, characterize its spatial variation among different habitats, and analyse species relative contribution to the total aboveground biomass of different habitats. The average aboveground biomass was 223.0 Mg ha(-1) (bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals [217.6, 228.5]) and varied substantially among four topographically defined habitats, from 180.6 Mg ha(-1) (bootstrapped 95% CI [167.1, 195.0]) in the upper ridge to 245.9 Mg ha(-1) (bootstrapped 95% CI [238.3, 253.8]) in the lower ridge, with upper and lower valley intermediate. In consistent with our expectation, individual species contributed differently to the total aboveground biomass of different habitats, reflecting significant species habitat associations. Different species show differently in habitat preference in terms of biomass contribution. These patterns may be the consequences of ecological strategies difference among different species. Results from this study enhance our ability to evaluate the role of subtropical forests in the regional carbon cycle and provide valuable information to guide the protection and management of subtropical broad-leaved forest for carbon sequestration and carbon storage.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1932-6203
Volume :
7
Issue :
10
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
PloS one
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
23118961
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0048244