Effects of nitrogen deposition on carbon sequestration in Chinese fir forest ecosystems

Nitrogen deposition and its ecological effects on forest ecosystems have received global attention.We used the ecosystem model FORECAST to assess the effects of nitrogen deposition on carbon sequestration in Chinese fir planted forests in SE China. This topic is important as China is intensifying its reforestation efforts to increase forest carbon sequestration for combating climate change impacts, using Chinese fir as the most important plantation species. A series of scenarios including seven N deposition levels (1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 kg ha− 1 y− 1), three management regime (rotation lengths of 15, 30 and 50 years) and two site qualities (nutrient poor and fertile sites) were defined for the simulations. Our results showed that N deposition increased carbon sequestration in Chinese fir forests, but the efficiency of the increasing effect is reduced as N deposition levels increase. When N deposition levels exceeded 20–30 kg ha− 1 y− 1, the incremental effects of N deposition on forest C pools were marginal. This suggests that N deposition levels above 20–30 kg ha− 1 y− 1 could lead to N saturation in Chinese fir forest soils. Any additional amounts of N input from deposition would likely be leached out. Total above-ground C was more sensitive to N deposition than to rotation length and site quality. It was also estimated that the contributions of N deposition to C sequestration in all Chinese fir forests in South-East China are 7.4 × 106 Mg C y− 1 under the current N deposition levels (5 to 10 kg ha− 1 y− 1) and could reach up to 16 × 106 Mg C y− 1 if N deposition continues increasing and reaches levels of 7.5 to 15 kg N ha− 1 y− 1.

► The model FORECAST was used to assess the effects of N deposition on C sequestration on Chinese fir plantations.
► Chinese fir forest is the most important plantation in China.
► N deposition significantly increases C sequestration in Chinese fir forests.
► N deposition levels of 20–30 kg ha− 1 y− 1 could lead to soil N saturation.
► C sequestration in Chinese fir forests could increase up to 16 × 106 Mg C y− 1 under future higher N deposition.