Small-Scale Estimation of Carbon Density and Carbon Storage of Forest Stands

Sixty-six sample plots were evenly laid out in Changtan Nature Reserve using a digitized topographic map for pant inventory. Two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) of the sample data categorized the vegetation of the nature reserve into 4 community types, i.e., evergreen broad-leaved forest (EB), Cunninghamia lanceolata forest (CL), coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest (CB), and coniferous forest dominated by C. lanceolata and Pinus massoniana(CP). Stand volume, biomass, and carbon storage were first calculated by tree species group, and then weighted for area to obtain carbon density of a certain community type. Carbon density for each of the 4 community types, i.e., EB, CL, CB, and CP, was 33.94, 34.70, 51.00 and 42.05 t·hm^-2, respectively. The forest vegetation in the nature reserve had a total carbon storage of 2.265×10⁵t, and an average carbon density of 44.77 t·hm^-2, much greater than the average value of Guangdong. Correlation analysis indicated that the major determinants for carbon density were tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and succession time of communities, while slope, elevation and stand density had no significant relations with carbon density.