Response of nonstructural carbohydrates to thinning and understory removal in a Chinese fir [ Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook] plantation
Abstract
Key message
This work provides insight into the functional changes in above- and belowground tree tissues/organs after thinning and understory removal.
Abstract
Non-structural carbon (NSC), which reflects the relationship between the carbon source and carbon sink, plays a key role in the carbon cycle in forest ecosystems. Although thinning and understory removal are two common measures in plantation management, limited information is available on the effects of thinning and understory removal on the NSC of plants, particularly of different tissues/organs. This study investigated the response of the NSC (soluble sugars and starch) concentration of different tissues/organs (current- to 4-year-old needles, inner-bark, xylem, and coarse and fine roots) toward thinning and understory removal in a plantation of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook), which is an evergreen coniferous species. Results showed that thinning significantly increased the NSC concentration of the needles. The NSC concentrations of the inner-bark and xylem did not respond to thinning. In contrast to the aboveground tissues/organs, the NSC concentration of the coarse root was significantly reduced by thinning. Thus, the thinning-induced NSC response of the above- and belowground tissues/organs varied, indicating that the NSC was remobilized after thinning. However, understory removal had a very reduced effect on the NSC concentration of all the mentioned above- and belowground tissues/organs. Our findings suggest the need to simultaneously consider above- and belowground tissues/organs in future forest management studies.
Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00468-018-1673-4
DOI: 10.1007/s00468-018-1673-4
Keeping up-to-date with research can feel impossible, with papers being published faster than you'll ever be able to read them. That's where Researcher comes in: we're simplifying discovery and making important discussions happen. With over 19,000 sources, including peer-reviewed journals, preprints, blogs, universities, podcasts and Live events across 10 research areas, you'll never miss what's important to you. It's like social media, but better. Oh, and we should mention - it's free.
Researcher displays publicly available abstracts and doesn’t host any full article content. If the content is open access, we will direct clicks from the abstracts to the publisher website and display the PDF copy on our platform. Clicks to view the full text will be directed to the publisher website, where only users with subscriptions or access through their institution are able to view the full article.