Biomass, litterfall and the nutrient fluxes in Chinese fir stands of different age in subtropical China

Abstract

Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.), a fast-growing ever-green conifer tree with high yield and excellent quality, is the most important tree species of timber plantations in subtropical China. We investigated the characteristics of biomass, litterfall and nutrient fluxes in the 8, 14 and 24 year-old stands, representing the young, middle-aged and mature stands. The results showed that Chinese fir plantations in central Fujian province had high productivity, and the proportion of stem mass in total biomass was between 50%–70%. Chinese fir was low nutrient-return tree species with litterfall. Nutrient withdrawal from senescing needles was a strong age-dependence for nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in Chinese fir. With a management system of such short-rotation and continuously pure-crop planting, harvesting timber can lead to great nutrient loss, which may be one of the causes for site degradation.

Keywords

Chinese fir / Biomass / Productivity / Litter fall / Nutrient flux / S718.55 / S791.27.02 / A

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