Soil organic carbon accumulation in intensively managed Phyllostachys praecox stands

Area of bamboo forest (Phyllostachys praecox) has rapidly increased in southern China during the last 20 years due to its high economic value. Aims of this study were to analyse the temporal and spatial variations of soil organic matter (SOM) in heavily winter mulched bamboo stands and to estimate potential for carbon sequestration. Total of 60 soil profiles with 0–15 years of bamboo plantation were sampled from three towns in Lin’an County. Results showed that with increased plantation years, SOM decreased slightly at the beginning (1–5 years), and then rose up steadily. Based on the average of the three locations, the highest SOM content of 75.82 g/kg was the surface layer (0–10 cm) of the 15 years. As plantation year increased, the variation of SOM in the surface layer (0–10 cm) was represented by a parabolic shape, and in the second layer (10–20 cm), it was a similar mode, but less vigorous. Soil organic carbon (SOC) storage significantly increased during 5 to 15 years after it reached full production, and the calculated annual SOC increment in 0–40 cm soil profile was about 6.3 t C/ha/year. Therefore, extended Phyllostachys praecox forests can be considered as one option for countering CO₂ emissions and regional climate change. Copyright © 2011 The New York Botanical Garden.