Soil where Taiwan firs (Abies kawakamii) grow contains about 20 tonnes more carbon per hectare than soil around other tree species, which could create opportunities in carbon credit markets, a Taiwan Forestry Research Institute study showed.
Taiwan has forest coverage of up to 60 percent, about one-third of which are artificial forests, which are crucial for Taiwan to achieve its net zero goal, the institute said, adding that soil accounts for the biggest carbon pool in artificial forest ecosystems at about 45 percent.
A long-term study of the soil carbon sink capacity of artificial forests around Nantou County’s Landun Village showed that carbon levels differed significantly in soil at depths greater than 5cm among different tree species.
Photo courtesy of the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute
For example, Taiwan firs that have been growing for 40 years have the highest level of deep soil carbon, followed by Taiwan red cypresses (Chamaecyparis formosensi) and Taiwania cryptomerioides of the same age, the institute said.
Compared with Taiwan red cypresses or Tawania, Taiwan firs on average have 10 tonnes to 20 tonnnes more deep soil carbon per hectare, it said.
Such a significant difference in carbon sink capacity has the potential to create economic benefits in carbon credit markets, the institute said, adding that planting tree species with better carbon sink capacity can boost artificial forests’ competitiveness and contributions to the market.
The study also found that forest management approaches would affect forests’ soil carbon storage.
For example, the soil carbon levels of a Taiwan red cypress forest along Taichung’s Lilang Trail (裡冷林道) significantly declined within two years of a noncommercial thinning, showing that tree-removal operations disrupt the forest litter layer — where organic matter such as fallen leaves, branches or trees store carbon as well, the institute said.
Long-term follow-up studies showed that tree canopies closed again 10 years after the thinning, leading to a thicker litter layer and increased total carbon storage of forest mineral soil, it said.
That showed soil carbon sinks can be restored and boosted through proper management and reforestation, despite short-term carbon losses, it said.
While clearcutting results in massive carbon losses, maintaining uneven-aged forests — where trees of different ages grow together — can sustain carbon sequestration and storage capacity, it said.
Extending forest rotation periods also helps stabilize soil carbon sink and reduce carbon losses, the institute added.
Proper thinning of a Taiwania forest on Fonggangshan (鳳崗山) in Kaohsiung’s Liouguei District (六龜) boosted tree growth and total soil carbon storage, it said.
However, severe loss of the litter layer and topsoil due to typhoons caused the forest’s soil carbon storage to plunge, it said.
Therefore, it is important to consider extreme weather conditions such as typhoons or downpours, as well as forests’ gradient, soil stability and wind resistance, when creating forest carbon sinks to ensure their sustainability, the institute said.
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