Organic carbon density in Pinus tabulaeformis Forest Ecosystem on the South Slope of the Middle Qinling Mountains, China

Organic carbon density (OCD) in different carbon pools of Pinus tabulaeformis forest ecosystem and its relationship with different geocentric factors are important for estimating forest carbon budgets, and helpful to understand forest carbon cycles. In this study, we established fifty sample plots at different site conditions using typical sampling method on the south slope of the Middle Qinling Mountains, where Pinus tabulaeformis is widely distributed. Our objective was to estimate OCD in different carbon pools of Pinus tabulaeformis forest ecosystem and its distribution on different geocentric factors, to understand the effects of geocentric factors on forest carbon budgets. It was concluded that effects of geocentric factors on the OCD of Pinus sabulaeformis forest ecosystem were mainly on the tree pool and soil pool on the south slope of the Middle Qinling Mountains. Geocentric factors should be considered in researches on forest ecosystem carbon cycles and estimation of carbon storage of forest ecosystem.