Ecosystem carbon stocks and their changes in China’s grasslands

• Published in: Science China. Life sciences Vol. 53; no. 7; pp. 757 - 765
• Main Authors: Fang, JingYun, Yang, YuanHe, Ma, WenHong, Mohammat, Anwar, Shen, HaiHua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Beijing Science China Press 01.07.2010; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomass; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Carbon; China; Density; Dynamics; Ecosystem; Ecosystems; Grasslands; Life Sciences; Poaceae; Raw materials; Soil (material); Soil - analysis; Texture; alpine grasslands; biomass; soil texture; carbon sink; temperate grasslands; soil organic carbon; climate change
• ISSN: 1674-7305; 1869-1889
• DOI: 10.1007/s11427-010-4029-x

The knowledge of carbon (C) stock and its dynamics is crucial for understanding the role of grassland ecosystems in China’s terrestrial C cycle. To date, a comprehensive assessment on C balance in China’s grasslands is still lacking. By reviewing published literature, this study aims to evaluate ecosystem C stocks (both vegetation biomass and soil organic C) and their changes in China’s grasslands. Our results are summarized as follows: (1) biomass C density (C stock per area) of China’s grasslands differed greatly among previous studies, ranging from 215.8 to 348.1 g C m −2 with an average of 300.2 g C m −2 . Likewise, soil C density also varied greatly between 8.5 and 15.1 kg C m −2 . In total, ecosystem C stock in China’s grasslands was estimated at 29.1 Pg C. (2) Both the magnitude and direction of ecosystem C changes in China’s grasslands differed greatly among previous studies. According to recent reports, neither biomass nor soil C stock in China’s grasslands showed a significant change during the past 20 years, indicating that grassland ecosystems are C neutral. (3) Spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of grassland biomass were closely correlated with precipitation, while changes in soil C stocks exhibited close associations with soil moisture and soil texture. Human activities, such as livestock grazing and fencing could also affect ecosystem C dynamics in China’s grasslands.