Afforestation species and slope as key drivers of soil carbon 
sequestration in plantations of the tropical‑subtropical transition 
zone: a case study from Xishuangbanna, Southwest China

doi:10.1007/s11676-025-01895-y

JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH ›› 2025, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (1): 1-.DOI: 10.1007/s11676-025-01895-y

• Original Paper •

Afforestation species and slope as key drivers of soil carbon sequestration in plantations of the tropical‑subtropical transition zone: a case study from Xishuangbanna, Southwest China

Shiqiang Wang¹, Wei Han², Sangui Yi³

¹Key Laboratory of Forest Management and Growth Modelling, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, People’s Republic of China

²School of Resources and Chemical Engineering, Sanming University, Sanming 365004, People’s Republic of China

³School of Basic Medical Sciences, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, People’s Republic of China

Received:2025-03-29 Accepted:2025-05-28 Online:2025-07-10 Published:2025-01-01
Supported by:
This study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2023YFE0105100-5-2), the Fundamental Research Funds of CAF (Grant No. CAFYBB2022SY034), the Guangxi Science and Technology Base and Talents Fund (Grant No. GUIKE AD22035117), the Scientific Research Foundation for High level Talent of Sanming University (Grant No. 20YG02), and Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province (Grant No. 2023J011022).

Abstract

Abstract: Tree plantations in the tropical-subtropical transition zone (TSTZ) represent crucial ecological regions where diverse biomes converge. Investigating the carbon sequestration potential and dynamic changes within these plantation ecosystems is of considerable ecological significance. However, the spatial distribution, driving factors, and underlying mechanisms of carbon sequestration in plantations in this region are poorly understood, thereby limiting accurate assessments of their carbon sequestration potential. This study examines four types of plantation forests located within the TSTZ on the Puwen forest farm of Xishuangbanna, China. Two slope gradients were established to quantify and compare the rate of carbon sequestration across these ecosystems. Using random forest modeling and structural equation modeling, the study identifies key environmental factors influencing the rate of carbon sequestration in the plantations. The results reveal substantial variation in DBH growth rates, biomass carbon sequestration, and soil organic carbon sequestration rates (R_SOC) among the four forest types. Critical factors affecting R_SOC include leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations (LP), total soil nitrogen (STN), total soil phosphorus (STP), soil available phosphorus, and nitrogen concentration in ground surface litter. Among these, STN and STP exerted positive effects on RSOC, while LP is exerted negative. Overall, the concentration of soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, along with the nitrogen and phosphorus levels in leaves, under different species and topographic slopes, play decisive roles in regulating soil carbon sequestration rates in tropical and subtropical plantations. This research provides support for vegetation protection and restoration in ecologically sensitive areas and watersheds, contributing to the enhancement of regional forest carbon sequestration capacity.

Key words: Afforestation, Impact factor, Slope, Soil organic carbon sequestration, Tree species, Tropical subtropical transition zone

Shiqiang Wang, Wei Han, Sangui Yi. Afforestation species and slope as key drivers of soil carbon sequestration in plantations of the tropical‑subtropical transition zone: a case study from Xishuangbanna, Southwest China[J]. JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH, 2025, 36(1): 1-.

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Afforestation species and slope as key drivers of soil carbon sequestration in plantations of the tropical‑subtropical transition zone: a case study from Xishuangbanna, Southwest China

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