Variation in Carbon Sequestration and Soil Properties in Relation to Stand Age in Maple and Alder Plantations

Increased CO2 levels caused by human activities (e.g., fossil fuel consumption and deforestation) has become a major concern for climate change and caused environmental problems. Afforestation/reforestation can help mitigate CO2 emission in the atmosphere by sequestering atmospheric carbon (C) in tree biomass. Herein, the above- and below-ground C sequestration of two pioneer tree species, including Acer velutinum Bioss and Alnus glutinosa L plantation stands of 25 (A25) and 35 (A35) years old were studied. The mean annual growth of diameter at breast height (cm/year) was significantly higher in A35 than A25, while the mean growth of height (m/year) was significantly higher in A25. The total and mean annual growth of the tree biomass and C storage (root and trunk) was significantly higher in A35. The amount of soil C sequestration in A35 was also significantly higher than in A25. The above-ground C sequestration and the annual average of C sequestration of the trees were positively correlated with soil moisture, pH, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Our study illustrates the benefits of considering stand age in the growth and developmental patterns of forest ecosystems in estimating terrestrial C stocks.