Changes in carbon storages of Fagus forest ecosystems along an elevational gradient on Mt. Fanjingshan in Southwest China

Beech (Fagus) forests on Mt. Fanjingshan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Southwest China, exhibit significant variation in carbon storage across an elevational gradient (1095–1930 m). Total ecosystem carbon pools range from 190.5 to 504.3 Mg C ha⁻¹, with biomass and soil contributing the most (33.7–73.9% and 23.9–65.5%, respectively), while litter and woody debris contribute minimally (<4%). Notably, ecosystem carbon storage increases significantly with elevation, driven primarily by rising biomass and woody debris, whereas litter and soil carbon show no elevational trend. Climate and stand age emerge as key drivers of these patterns in Guizhou Province's beech forests, contrasting with global trends where stand age dominates. This study underscores the importance of local climate and stand age in shaping carbon accumulation, providing critical data for regional carbon budgets and conservation strategies.

Cai, Q., Ji, C., Zhou, X., Bruelheide, H., Fang, W., Zheng, T., Zhu, J., Shi, L., Li, H., Zhu, J., & Fang, J. (2019). Changes in carbon storages of Fagus forest ecosystems along an elevational gradient on Mt. Fanjingshan in Southwest China. Journal of Plant Ecology, 13(2), 139–149. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpe/rtz055