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- Title
Positive Relationship between Aboveground Carbon Stocks and Structural Diversity in Spruce-Dominated Forest Stands in New Brunswick, Canada.
- Authors
Weifeng Wang; Xiangdong Lei; Zhihai Ma; Kneeshaw, Daniel D.; Changhui Peng
- Abstract
Maintaining both the structure and functionality of forest ecosystems is a primary goal of forest management. In this study, relationships between structural diversity and aboveground stand carbon (C) stocks were examined in spruce-dominated forests in New Brunswick, Canada. Tree species, size, and height diversity indices as well as a combination of these diversity indices were used to correlate aboveground C stocks. Multiple linear regressions were subsequently used to quantify the relationships between these indices and aboveground C stocks, and partial correlation analysis was also adopted to remove the effects of other explanatory variables. Results show that stand structural diversity has a significant positive effect on aboveground C stocks even though the relationship is weak overall. Positive relationships observed between the diversity indices and aboveground C stocks support the hypothesis that increased structural diversity enhances aboveground C storage capacity. This occurs because complex forest structures allow for greater light infiltration and promote a more efficient resource use by trees, leading to an increase in biomass and C production. Mixed tolerant species composition and uneven-aged stand management in conjunction with selection or partial cutting to maintain high structural diversity is therefore recommended to preserve biodiversity and C stocks in spruce-dominated forests.
- Subjects
CANADA; BIOTIC communities; CARBON sequestration; BIODIVERSITY; FOREST management; STATISTICAL correlation; FORESTS &; forestry
- Publication
Forest Science, 2011, Vol 57, Issue 6, p506
- ISSN
0015-749X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/forestscience/57.6.506