Evaluating biomass and carbon stock responses to thinning and pruning in mature Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr stands: a case study from Northern China

Forestry management practices, such as thinning and pruning, significantly influence biomass accumulation and carbon sequestration, which are critical for climate change mitigation. This study examines the impact of thinning and pruning intensities on biomass and carbon stocks in 50-year-old Larix p...

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Main Authors: Jamshid Ali, Wang Haoran, Kaleem Mehmood, Bilal Muhammad, Wakeel Hussain, Khadim Hussain, Fahad Shahzad, Yin Qun, Jia Zhongkui
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Forests and Global Change
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1592009/full
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author Jamshid Ali
Wang Haoran
Kaleem Mehmood
Bilal Muhammad
Wakeel Hussain
Khadim Hussain
Fahad Shahzad
Yin Qun
Jia Zhongkui
author_facet Jamshid Ali
Wang Haoran
Kaleem Mehmood
Bilal Muhammad
Wakeel Hussain
Khadim Hussain
Fahad Shahzad
Yin Qun
Jia Zhongkui
author_sort Jamshid Ali
collection DOAJ
description Forestry management practices, such as thinning and pruning, significantly influence biomass accumulation and carbon sequestration, which are critical for climate change mitigation. This study examines the impact of thinning and pruning intensities on biomass and carbon stocks in 50-year-old Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr plantations at Saihanba Mechanical Forest Farm in Northern China. The research involved 45 plots subjected to 15 treatments, each with 3 replicates. The Comprehensive assessments were made for aboveground biomass (AGB), belowground biomass (BGB), and total biomass. The statistical significance of differences between treatment groups was assessed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Regression analysis. The results demonstrated significant reductions in AGB, BGB, and total biomass with increased thinning intensity, up to 42.9% for AGB and 42.6% for BGB compared to the control treatment. The percentage decrease in total biomass from the control treatment, T0P0, to the most intensive treatment, T4P2, is approximately 42.5%. The percentage decrease in total carbon over the control treatments is about 42.7%. The soil organic carbon (SOC) decreased by 35.6% compared to the control treatment. Pruning influences tree structure and health. The findings highlight the complex interactions between forest management practices and carbon dynamics, emphasizing the adoption of light to moderate thinning and pruning strategies. These approaches can sustain the forest's carbon sequestration capabilities while maintaining forest health and productivity. This study provides empirical evidence to guide future forest management decisions, emphasizing the critical balance needed to maximize forest health and carbon sequestration potential.
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spelling doaj-art-b63de08fc6f348f390ff6091c5bb38aa2025-08-20T02:01:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Forests and Global Change2624-893X2025-06-01810.3389/ffgc.2025.15920091592009Evaluating biomass and carbon stock responses to thinning and pruning in mature Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr stands: a case study from Northern ChinaJamshid Ali0Wang Haoran1Kaleem Mehmood2Bilal Muhammad3Wakeel Hussain4Khadim Hussain5Fahad Shahzad6Yin Qun7Jia Zhongkui8State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Engineering Technology Research Center of Pinus Tabuliformis of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Engineering Technology Research Center of Pinus Tabuliformis of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, ChinaKey Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Engineering Technology Research Center of Pinus Tabuliformis of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Geophysics and Geomatics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, ChinaState Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources and Environmental Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, ChinaMapping and 3S Technology Center, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Engineering Technology Research Center of Pinus Tabuliformis of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Engineering Technology Research Center of Pinus Tabuliformis of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, ChinaForestry management practices, such as thinning and pruning, significantly influence biomass accumulation and carbon sequestration, which are critical for climate change mitigation. This study examines the impact of thinning and pruning intensities on biomass and carbon stocks in 50-year-old Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr plantations at Saihanba Mechanical Forest Farm in Northern China. The research involved 45 plots subjected to 15 treatments, each with 3 replicates. The Comprehensive assessments were made for aboveground biomass (AGB), belowground biomass (BGB), and total biomass. The statistical significance of differences between treatment groups was assessed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Regression analysis. The results demonstrated significant reductions in AGB, BGB, and total biomass with increased thinning intensity, up to 42.9% for AGB and 42.6% for BGB compared to the control treatment. The percentage decrease in total biomass from the control treatment, T0P0, to the most intensive treatment, T4P2, is approximately 42.5%. The percentage decrease in total carbon over the control treatments is about 42.7%. The soil organic carbon (SOC) decreased by 35.6% compared to the control treatment. Pruning influences tree structure and health. The findings highlight the complex interactions between forest management practices and carbon dynamics, emphasizing the adoption of light to moderate thinning and pruning strategies. These approaches can sustain the forest's carbon sequestration capabilities while maintaining forest health and productivity. This study provides empirical evidence to guide future forest management decisions, emphasizing the critical balance needed to maximize forest health and carbon sequestration potential.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1592009/fullthinning and pruning intensitiesDBHtree heightbasal areaforest management
spellingShingle Jamshid Ali
Wang Haoran
Kaleem Mehmood
Bilal Muhammad
Wakeel Hussain
Khadim Hussain
Fahad Shahzad
Yin Qun
Jia Zhongkui
Evaluating biomass and carbon stock responses to thinning and pruning in mature Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr stands: a case study from Northern China
Frontiers in Forests and Global Change
thinning and pruning intensities
DBH
tree height
basal area
forest management
title Evaluating biomass and carbon stock responses to thinning and pruning in mature Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr stands: a case study from Northern China
title_full Evaluating biomass and carbon stock responses to thinning and pruning in mature Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr stands: a case study from Northern China
title_fullStr Evaluating biomass and carbon stock responses to thinning and pruning in mature Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr stands: a case study from Northern China
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating biomass and carbon stock responses to thinning and pruning in mature Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr stands: a case study from Northern China
title_short Evaluating biomass and carbon stock responses to thinning and pruning in mature Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr stands: a case study from Northern China
title_sort evaluating biomass and carbon stock responses to thinning and pruning in mature larix principis rupprechtii mayr stands a case study from northern china
topic thinning and pruning intensities
DBH
tree height
basal area
forest management
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1592009/full
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