Abstract:Carbon accumulation and distribution were studied in vegetation and soil for Pinus massoniana and Schima superba mixed forest ecosystem in Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve. The biomass of trees in three plots ranged from 174.41 t hm-2 to 270.11 t hm-2, with an average of 227.36 t hm-2, which was contributed mainly by Pinus massoniana (54.9%-84.4%). The biomass of understory plants was 7.41-28.28 t hm-2, with an averages of 14.41 t hm-2. Standing stock of ground litter was 7.06-11.56 t hm-2, with an average of 9.03 t hm-2. Total carbon storage of the forest ecosystems ranged from 146.35 t hm-2 to 215.30 t hm-2. Of total carbon, 61.9%-69.9% was distributed by vegetation component, 28.5%-35.5% by soil, only 1.6%-2.8% by standing ground litter layer. Potential carbon sequestration in forest vegetation is discussed.
