New Riparian Forest Fragments Quickly Increase Carbon Stocks Baseline

Abstract

Abstract In recent decades, the role played by planted forests in carbon sequestration and storage has been recognized as an essential ecosystem service for maintaining the quality of life on the planet. In this study we compared the carbon stocks in soil, litter and aboveground tree biomass in four riparian reforested strips in the surroundings of the State Hydroelectric Power Plant (UHE) of Volta Grande in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The planted forest strips ranged from 30 to 100 m wide and 10 to 20 years old. Despite this, no significant differences (p < 0.5) were found in C stocks among areas. Carbon stock in trees was about 86tMgC.ha− 1 on average. Litter carbon stocks varied from 4.15 to 6.59 MgC.ha− 1 and in the soil (0–30 cm), the values were about 31 MgC.ha− 1. Litter carbon stock was only significantly higher in narrower strips at (p < 0.1) probably due to an edge effect. Our results suggest that factors such as the management and protection of the reforested area and the surrounding landscape seem to exert a strong influence on the quality of the reforested fragments. Regardless, the reforested areas in the new riparian zones created on the banks of the dam increased C stocks by 40% in the first decade compared to the baseline of agricultural environments. This result corroborates other studies and encourages the restoration of riparian zones as an efficient and rapid mechanism for C sequestration plus other ecosystem services.