Carbon storage and its changes in Chinese terrestrial ecosystem in recent decades

Abstract

This paper made a comprehensive assessment on carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystem in China by reviewing published literatures. Much more detailed carbon storages in vegetation, soil and ecosystem were summarized for forest, grassland, shrub, cropland and wetland in recent decades. It was discovered that total terrestrial carbon storage in China was 67.9 ~191.8 Pg C in recent decades, 6.1 ~ 57.57 Pg C was stored in vegetation, and 161.7 ~ 185.7 Pg C was stored in topsoil at a depth of 100 cm. Vegetation carbon storage has increased obviously in recent years; soil carbon storage declined in some areas owing to intensive land use, while it increased in other areas because of fertilizer application and reforestation. Total terrestrial carbon storage over China has increased in recent decades, and it is expected to continue to increase.