Biomass partition and carbon storage of Cunninghamia lanceolata chronosequence plantations in Dabie Mountains in East China

The quantification of biomass carbon pools is important for understanding carbon cycling in forest ecosystems. This study was designed to reveal the effects of stand age on biomass partitioning and carbon storage of Chinese fir plantation stands in Dabie Mountains of Anhui, East China. A total of six even-aged Chinese fir plantation stands along an age-sequence from 10 to 50 years were selected. To quantify the biomass of different tree components, 18 trees with diameter at breast height (D1.3) from 6.5 to 35.2 cm were harvested from the different aged stands. Biomasses of understory vegetation, forest floor and standing dead trees were also investigated. Total biomass carbon storages ranged from 57.6 to 211.4 Mg ha–1 in the different aged stands. Tree layer comprised from 93.7% to 96.4% of the total biomass C pools in the different aged stands. The C pools of the necromass were from 1.8 to 6.2 Mg ha–1. Stand age had a significant effect on tree biomass partitioning, with an increase in proportion of root biomass. The root/shoot ratios were from 0.187 to 0.312, which was significantly positively correlated to stand age. The existing plantation stands are still developing and have somewhat high rate of biomass and carbon accumulations beyond the normal rotation period (usually 25–30 years) even over an age of 50 years. Appropriate prolongation of the rotation period of Chinese fir plantation will be effective in maintaining long-term productivity and providing large carbon sink. The measurements provide valuable data for modelling productivity of Chinese fir plantation forest.