Carbon sequestration capacity of Beijing arbor forest based on NbS

  Objective  Carbon sequestration of arbor forest biomass is an important component affecting forest carbon sink, and is a natural based climate solution. In the context of global climate change, the carbon sequestration potential of forests has been widely concerned. This paper takes Beijing as an example to analyze the influence of different forestry activities on forest carbon storage.

  Method  Based on the survey data of forest resource design in Beijing, the carbon storage of tree layer forest in Beijing was estimated by IPCC volume-biomass method. The change of carbon storage under three natural schemes of deforestation, afforestation and forest management in Beijing from 2009 to 2014 was analyzed.

  Result  (1) From 2009 to 2014 in Beijing, the net increase of forest area in Beijing was 8.35 × 10⁴ ha, the net increase of carbon storage was about 1.45 × 10⁹ kg, and the average annual carbon sequestration was 0.29 × 10⁹ kg/year. (2) In 2014, the total carbon storage of artificial forest in Beijing was higher than that of natural forest, and the carbon density was higher than that of natural forest. The forest age structure in Beijing was getting older and with the natural growth of forest, there was still a great potential for carbon sequestration. Among the dominant tree species (groups), the carbon sequestration efficiency of artificial poplar forest was particularly prominent, which was much higher than that of other dominant tree species. (3) The intensity of mountain forest activity was small, the forest management area accounted for a large proportion, the urban forest changed violently, and was greatly affected by afforestation and deforestation. From 2009 to 2014 in Beijing, deforestation into other lands caused a carbon loss of 1.06 × 10⁹ kg; afforestation caused a carbon sequestration of 2.10 × 10⁹ kg; there was a carbon sequestration of 1.62 × 10⁹ kg and a carbon loss of 1.21 × 10⁹ kg in forest management; the net increment of total carbon storage was 0.41 × 10⁹ kg. Avoiding deforestation can bring 1.17 × 10⁹ kg carbon sink.

  Conclusion  Increasing forest carbon sequestration capacity is an important means to cope with climate change. Avoiding deforestation can contribute a large carbon sink with a small forest area, which is a low-cost and effective solution to increase forest carbon sink.