Phytomass carbon pool dynamics in the reference fir stands of the taiga zone

Abstract

The present study resulted in quantitative estimation of phytomass carbon dynamics in fir-dominated stands based on growth rate table built for reference stands. The study area covered fir-dominated stands of the third bonitet class (mid-productivity stands). Studied stands belong to feather moss and herb-rich forest types and grow in taiga zone (Yeniseiskoe Forestry, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia). Mathematical models of changes in stands characteristics in reference fir stands are presented. Carbon pool in above-ground and below-ground phytomass fractions were assessed at different age classes using conversion-volume method. The results are important when assessing the role of fir stands of a certain age in the overall carbon budget at the regional level. Moreover, the results may be used in continuous or periodic assessment of the amount of greenhouse gas absorbed by forest ecosystems and in other types of environmental monitoring.