Influence of thinning on carbon storage in soil, forest floor and coarse woody debris of Larix kaempferi stands in Korea

Abstract

This study examined the effects of thinning intensities on carbon (C) storage of soil, forest floor and coarse woody debris (CWD) in Larix kaempferi stands, Korea. Two study stands were located in Gwangneung Experiment Forest (Stand 1: 31-40 years old) and Muju (Stand 2: 51-60 years old). These stands were thinned in 2011. Each stand was divided into three plots by different thinning intensities based on removed volume: no thinning (control, 0%), moderate thinning (M, 20%), and heavy thinning (H, 30%). The C storage of soil at 0-50 cm depth, forest floor, and CWD was measured in 2011. Total C storage of H plot was significantly higher than that of control plot andMplot in Stand 1 (control: 64.6 t C ha-1, M: 62.2 t C ha-1, H: 83.7 t C ha-1). A similar tendency was also found in Stand 2; total C storage of H plot was significantly higher than that of control plot andMplot (control: 137.8 t C ha-1; M: 138.0 tCha-1; H: 169.6 t C ha-1). Initial effectsof thinning intensities onCstorage were analyzed as a partof the 10-year study, and we expect to determine the correct thinning intensity that optimizes C storage of soil, forest floor, and CWDby long-termmonitoring of changes in C storage at this experimental site. © 2012 Korean Forest Society.