Welcome to visit Scientia Silvae Sinicae,Today is

Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2026, Vol. 62 ›› Issue (10): 30-41.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20260347

• Research papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Mineral-Associated Organic Carbon Sequestration Potential of Pinus massoniana Plantations with Different Age Groups in the Hilly Region of Central Hubei

Jianwen Hu1,2,3,Mengmeng Gou1,4,*(),Changfu Liu1,4,Lixiong Zeng1,4,Lei Lei1,4,Jiajia Zhang1,4,Wenfa Xiao1,4   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Forest Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry Beijing 100091
    2. Engineering Research Center of Coal-Based Ecological Carbon Sequestration Technology of the Ministry of Education  Shanxi Datong University Datong 037009
    3. Key Laboratory of Graphene Forestry Application of National Forestry and Grassland Administration Shanxi Datong University Datong 037009
    4. Hubei Zigui Three Gorges Reservoir National Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station Yichang 443600
  • Received:2026-06-05 Online:2026-10-10 Published:2026-10-16
  • Contact: Mengmeng Gou E-mail:goumm0243@163.com

Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to investigate the evolution patterns and driving factors of the effective saturation value and sequestration potential (defined as the percentage of the difference between the effective saturation value of actual mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) and its sequestration potential (the percentage of the difference between MAOC effective saturation value and actual content to effective saturation value) in Pinus massoniana plantations with stand development, so as to provide a scientific basis for carbon sink enhancement management. Method: P. massoniana plantations with different ages (young: 6 a, middle-aged: 13 a, near-mature: 29 a, mature: 38 a) in the hilly region of central Hubei Province were taken as the research object, and the plantations were subjected to a long-term field nutrient addition incubation experiment. The density-particle size fractionation method was used to quantify the dynamic changes of MAOC in the 0–10 cm soil layer of different age groups, evaluate the MAOC effective saturation value and sequestration potential, and identify the driving factors. Result: 1) Under natural conditions, the MAOC content in mature plantation (22.29±0.38 g·kg–1) was significantly higher than that in near-mature (14.89±0.86 g·kg–1), young (14.14±0.30 g·kg?1), and middle-aged (11.82±0.69 g·kg–1) plantations. 2) The MAOC effective saturation value in middle-aged plantation (19.29±0.55 g·kg–1) was significantly lower than that in young (23.81±0.31 g·kg–1) and mature (25.41±1.71 g·kg–1) plantations. The MAOC sequestration potential significantly decreased with stand development, and had the lowest value observed in mature plantations 3) As soils approached MAOC saturation, the nitrogen and phosphorus contents in the mineral-associated fractions significantly increased across all age groups, while the C∶N and C∶P ratios significantly decreased. 4) The MAOC effective saturation value was primarily driven by the C∶P ratio of the mineral-associated fraction (R2=0.55, P<0.01), whereas soil specific surface area was the key factor determining the sequestration potential (R2=0.62, P<0.05). Conclusion: This study indicates that MAOC sequestration potential is highest in young plantations and lowest in mature plantations. In forest management, the long-term carbon sequestration function of P. massoniana plantations can be enhanced by quantitatively regulating soil nutrients to improve the C∶P ratio of the mineral-associated fraction.

Key words: Pinus massoniana plantation, age group, mineral-associated organic carbon, effective saturation value, sequestration potential

CLC Number: