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

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