Allocation Patterns and Temporal Dynamics of Chinese Fir Biomass in Hunan Province, China

Abstract

How trees allocate their biomass among different components has important implications for their survival and growth and ecosystem carbon cycling. Data on the distribution pattern and dynamics of tree biomass are essential for fully exploiting forest carbon sequestration potential and achieving the goal of carbon neutralization. However, there has not been enough research to-date on tree biomass spatial allocation and temporal dynamics in different site qualities at specific tree species scales. This study aimed to evaluate the biomass allocation patterns within tree components of Chinese fir and to examine how they are affected by tree age and site quality. A total of 87 trees were destructively sampled and measured for stem, branch, leaf, bark and root biomass. The biomass proportion difference of tree components in different age stages (8-40 years) was analysed, and the influence process of tree age and site quality on biomass allocation was examined. Our results indicate that the biomass allocation varied with tree age and was also affected by site quality. Stem biomass accounted for the largest proportion of total tree biomass, followed by leaf, root, branch and bark biomass in young forests, and it was followed by root, bark, branch and leaf biomass in other age groups. The biomass proportion of each component all nonlinearly changed with tree age. The proportion of stem biomass increased with increasing tree age, and the biomass proportion of branches and leaves decreased with increasing tree age. The proportion of root biomass first increased and then decreased with tree age, while the bark biomass proportion first decreased and then increased with increasing tree age. Site quality had a positive effect on the biomass proportion of stems but a negative effect on the biomass proportion of branches and bark. The interaction of tree age and site quality also had a significant effect on the proportion of stem biomass as well as root biomass. Therefore, to obtain accurate estimates of Chinese fir forest biomass and carbon stocks, age-specific changes and the influence of site conditions on it need to be considered.