Impact of land use type conversion on carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems of China: A spatial-temporal perspective

• DOI: 10.1038/srep10233
• Publication Date: 2015-05-15T12:02:13Z
• Authors: Mei Zhang; Xianjin Huang; Xiaowei Chuai; Hong Yang; Li Lai; Junzhong Tan
• Keywords: Terrestrial ecosystem

Abstract Our work is the first study to explore national and provincial composite carbon storage variations in terrestrial ecosystems of China caused by entire flows land use type conversion (LUTC). Only water body was excluded. The results indicated that lost 219 Tg-C due LUTC from 1980 1995 amount 60 during period 1995-2010. Despite decrease total amount, losses intensified, but most were balanced opposite conversions. analyses also revealed LUTCs becoming detrimental reduction, mainly insufficient increase forest meet growing demand for absorption, accelerating disappearance grassland rapid expansion settlements. More than 50% a single flow concentrated several provinces. To improve China’s status aspect low-carbon, Heilongjiang, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia, Tibet, Qinghai, Xinjiang coastal regions, such as Shandong, Jiangsu Liaoning, should be dealt with according their conditions. This can helpful planners, policy makers scholars concerned about reduction China.