An individual tree-based model for estimating regional and temporal carbon storage of Abies chensiensis forest ecosystem in the Qinling Mountains, China

Accurate estimation of carbon storage of forest ecosystem has significant implication for mitigating global warming. In order to get accurate estimation of carbon storage of forest ecosystem at the regional scale and temporal dynamics in the Qinling Mountains, this study established a dynamic estimation model (FCM model) for forest carbon storage at tree stand scale according to the data of forest growth and degradation characteristics of Aibes chensiensis, and constructed a regional and temporal estimation model (geo-FCM model) based on FCM model and Aibes chensiensis spatial distribution data from 3S technology. The results showed that carbon density of Aibes chensiensis forest at tree age of 80 years from FCM model were 245.56 t ha⁻¹, which was similar to the measured carbon densities from field investigation. The simulation process of the FCM model could well reflect the growth characteristic of Aibes chensiensis. The simulated result of geo-FCM model showed carbon storage of Abies chensiensis forest in study region were 5.23 × 10⁵ t in year 2018 with the average carbon density of 222.26 t ha⁻¹ and increased to 5.60 × 10⁵ t in year 2028 along with tree growth. Its carbon storage increased 7.11% compared to the state of year 2018. The constructed model provided a robust method to estimate forest carbon storage of different tree species at different age stages at the regional scale, which can provide an important reference for forest management and selection of plantation tree species.