Journal Article

Effects of urbanization and forest type on species composition and diversity, forest characteristics, biomass carbon sink, and their associations in Changchun, Northeast China: implications for urban carbon stock improvement

Wang, Yuanyuan, Zhou, Yuanhang, Chen, Xingling, Lin, Guiqing, Cui, Yulong, Zhang, Dan, Wang, Tianyi, Dai, Xinzhu

2024

Overview

Differences in forest attributes and carbon sequestration of each organ and layer between broadleaved and conifer forests of central and outer urban areas are not well-defined, hindering the precise management of urban forests and improvement of function. To clarify the effect of two forest types with different urbanization intensities, we determined differences in vegetation composition and diversity, structural traits, and carbon stocks of 152 plots (20 m × 20 m) in urban park forests in Changchun, which had the largest green quantity and carbon density effectiveness. We found that 1.1-fold thicker and healthier trees, and 1.6- to 2.0-fold higher, healthier, denser, and more various shrubs but with sparser trees and herbs occurred in the central urban forests ( p  < 0.05) than in the outer forests. The conifer forests exhibited 30–70% obviously higher tree aboveground carbon sequestration (including stem and leaf) and 20% bigger trees, especially in the outer forests ( p  < 0.05). In contrast, 1.1- to 1.5-fold higher branch stocks, healthier and more diverse trees were found in broadleaved forests of both the inner and outer forests ( p  < 0.05). Plant size and dominant species had similarly important roles in carbon stock improvement, especially big-sized woody plants and Pinus tabuliformis. In addition, a higher number of deciduous or needle species positively affected the broadleaved forest of the central urban area and conifer forest of the outer urban area, respectively. These findings can be used to guide precise management and accelerate the improvement of urban carbon function in Northeast China in the future.

• Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore,Springer,Springer Nature B.V,Academy of Forestry Sciences of Changchun,Bureau of Forestry and Landscaping of Changchun,Changchun 130117,People's Republic of China%College of Landscape Architecture,Changchun University,Changchun 130022,People's Republic of China%Changchun South Lake Park,Bureau of Forestry and Landscaping of Changchun,Changchun 130012,People's Republic of China
• Subject: Analysis / biomass / Biomedical and Life Sciences / botanical composition / carbon / Carbon sequestration / Carbon sinks / China / Coniferous forests / Coniferous trees / Conifers / deciduous forests / Dominant species / Forestry / Forests / Investigations / leaves / Life Sciences / Original Paper / Pine needles / Pinus tabuliformis / species / Species composition / Species diversity / Stocks / Trees / Urban areas / Urban forests / Urban parks / Urbanization / Vegetation / Woody plants