Understanding the effects of forest types, vegetation structural diversity, and soil properties on above- and below-ground carbon stock of moist deciduous forest ecosystems in Western Ghats, India

IF 5.4 1区农林科学 Q1 GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Catena Pub Date : 2025-06-02 DOI:10.1016/j.catena.2025.109198

PR. Sandra , Anand Shankar , Satish Chandra Garkoti , CK Adarsh

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Abstract

The dynamics of tree biomass carbon (Tcs) and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks vary significantly across forest types, shaped by vegetation structural diversity, soil properties, and nutrient availability. However, the relative influence of these ecological factors on Tcs and SOC stocks across different forest types remains poorly understood. This study examines the influence of forest types on tree diversity {Shannon index (H′), species richness (SR), and probability of interspecific encounter (PIE)}, structural attributes (basal area and density), soil properties {bulk density, pH, and N}, nutrients {P, k, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu}, and carbon stocks in Western Ghats. Data were collected from 12 stands across two forest types {5 permanent preservation plots (PPP) and 7 teak plantations (TP)} using field-based quadrat sampling and soil analysis (0–100 cm depth). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to disentangle forest types’ direct and indirect effects on Tcs and SOC stocks. Results showed significantly higher tree diversity, nutrient enrichment, Tcs, and SOC stock in PPP compared to TP. Tcs ranged from ∼186–312 Mg C ha⁻¹, while SOC ranged from ∼16–84 Mg C ha⁻¹, jointly contributing 47–54 % of forest C storage. Tree density, H’, and soil nutrients (P, K, C/N, and Mn) emerged as major drivers of Tcs and SOC variation, explaining 73–90 % of the observed variance. SEM analysis confirmed structural diversity and soil nutrients as primary drivers influencing C stock, with soil properties having a lesser impact. Overall, the findings highlight that forest types and soil depth modulate the effects of vegetation and soil attributes on C dynamics. This study advances understanding of carbon stock regulation in tropical forests and provides valuable insights for conservation planning and sustainable forest management.

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了解森林类型、植被结构多样性和土壤性质对印度西高止山脉潮湿落叶森林生态系统地上和地下碳储量的影响

不同森林类型的树木生物量碳（Tcs）和土壤有机碳（SOC）储量动态差异显著，受植被结构多样性、土壤性质和养分有效性的影响。然而，这些生态因子对不同森林类型碳含量和有机碳储量的相对影响尚不清楚。本文研究了西高止山脉森林类型对树木多样性{香农指数（H’）、物种丰富度（SR）和种间相遇概率（PIE）}、结构属性（基底面积和密度）、土壤属性{容重、pH和N}、养分{P、k、Ca、Mg、Fe、Zn、Mn和Cu}以及碳储量的影响。采用样方抽样和土壤分析（0-100 cm深度），从两种森林类型（5个永久保护样地（PPP）和7个柚木人工林（TP））的12个林分中收集数据。利用结构方程模型（SEM）分析了森林类型对碳、碳储量的直接和间接影响。结果表明，PPP的树木多样性、养分丰度、Tcs和SOC储量显著高于TP。Tcs范围为~ 186 ~ 312 Mg C ha - 1，而SOC范围为~ 16 ~ 84 Mg C ha - 1，它们共同贡献了森林碳储量的47 ~ 54%。树木密度、H′和土壤养分（P、K、C/N和Mn）是Tcs和SOC变化的主要驱动因素，解释了73 - 90%的观测方差。SEM分析证实结构多样性和土壤养分是影响碳储量的主要驱动因素，土壤性质的影响较小。总体而言，研究结果表明森林类型和土壤深度调节植被和土壤属性对碳动态的影响。该研究促进了对热带森林碳储量调控的认识，为森林保护规划和可持续管理提供了有价值的见解。

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来源期刊

Catena 环境科学-地球科学综合

CiteScore

10.50

自引率

9.70%

发文量

816

审稿时长

54 days

期刊介绍： Catena publishes papers describing original field and laboratory investigations and reviews on geoecology and landscape evolution with emphasis on interdisciplinary aspects of soil science, hydrology and geomorphology. It aims to disseminate new knowledge and foster better understanding of the physical environment, of evolutionary sequences that have resulted in past and current landscapes, and of the natural processes that are likely to determine the fate of our terrestrial environment. Papers within any one of the above topics are welcome provided they are of sufficiently wide interest and relevance.