Land use structure optimization based on carbon storage in several regional terrestrial ecosystems across China

► We optimized land use structure in 2020 to increase carbon storage in China. ► Woodland has the highest carbon densities and can increase carbon storage the most. ► The optimized land use structure presented obvious effect on the entire country. ► Inland regions always have larger potentialities to increase carbon storage but not for coastal regions. ► The regional differences are mainly due to social and economic development level.