The carbon accumulation and dissipation features of sub-alpine woodland in Mt. Gongga

Based on biomass investigations, soil respiration and plant photosynthesis measurement of dominant trees in Hailuogou valley of Mt. Gongga, Southwest China, the carbon (C) storage, absorption and release for several typical woodlands in sub-alpine zones have been discussed. For Abies fabri forest of 3,000 m above sea level, the C storage amount is 177.4 t/ha for above-ground biomass and 143.2 t/ha for soil below-ground biomass. The annual gross C fixed by vegetation photosynthesis is 20-24 t/ha. The C release by canopy respiration is 3.0-5.5 t/ha for arbors and 10-19 t/ha for surface soil and roots. The annual net C fixed of forest ecosystem is about 6.0-7.1 t/ha. At lower elevations, the amount of C released by woodlands is higher than that of woods at higher elevations. The C fixed capacity of renewed forest with middle-aged trees is higher than that of mature forest. Before becoming over-matured forest, woodland is an important sink of C whereas bareland in woods is the source of atmospheric C.