Dynamics of carbon storage at different aged Koelreuteria paniclata tree in Xiangtan Mn mining wasteland

Over the past decade, Koelreuteria paniclata was introduced in manganese mine wastelands in central southern China as a suitable plant species in order to remove metals from the contaminated soils. In this study, we examined changes in biomass and carbon storage in 3 K. paniclata plantations at 3-, 5- and 9-year old stands in a Mn mining wasteland. We measured biomass and carbon concentrations in various plant organs and soil depths and estimated total carbon storage in the forests to gain an understanding of the dynamics of biomass and carbon in the plantation ecosystems since phytoremediation. The carbon storage in different components of the aged K. paniclata plantation ecosystems was in order as soil layer > vegetation layer > litter layer. Our results may provide scientific references for sustainable forest resources management and carbon sink forest development in vegetation restoration of mining wastelands.