Carbon storage and sequestration of five planting patterns of Picea crassifolia plantations in Qilian mountains

作者：Yaoyao Shangguan, Zhao Hu, Zhengzhong Zhang, Erwen Xu, Dong Lv, Yanxia Wang, Xingpeng Zhao, Na Wei, Gang Chen, J.H. LIU, Xingyu Wei, Zhiwen Gao, M. H. Liu · 发表于：Frontiers in Earth Science · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3389/feart.2025.1560899 · 被引用次数：4 · 研究领域：Forest, Soil, and Plant Ecology in China、Forest ecology and management、Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics

Forest plantations play a critical role in mitigating climate change, with their carbon storage and sequestration capacity significantly influenced by planting patterns. This study focuses on Picea crassifolia plantations in the shallow mountainous region of the Qilian Mountains, aiming to investigate the effects of five planting patterns (pure forests, mixed forests, and uneven-aged forests) on vegetation and soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. The research provides a scientific basis for optimizing forest management strategies in arid and semi-arid regions. Fifteen sample plots were established in the Qilian Mountains, Gansu Province, covering five planting patterns: pure forests with 1.5 × 1.5 m (P1.5) and 2 × 2 m (P2) spacing, uneven-aged pure forests (PX), mixed forests of P. crassifolia and Pinus sylvestris var. mongholica (PC), and mixed forests of P. crassifolia , P. sylvestris , and Caragana korshinskii (PPC). Vegetation biomass (tree height, DBH, crown width) and soil samples (0 – 80 cm depth) were collected. Carbon content was determined using the potassium dichromate oxidation method, and carbon stocks were estimated using national biomass models. Statistical analyses (one-way ANOVA) and membership function evaluation were applied to assess carbon sink potential. Results showed that: 1. Planting spacing: The 2 × 2 m pure forest (P2) exhibited higher vegetation-layer carbon storage (10 t·ha −1 ) compared to the 1.5 × 1.5 m pure forest (P1.5, 5 t·ha −1 ). 2. Age het...