# Distribution characteristics and influencing factors of carbon storage in Populus plantations with different stand ages in the Luxi Yellow River floodplain, China

## TL;DR

This study examines how carbon storage in Populus plantations changes with age and identifies key factors influencing it in the Luxi Yellow River floodplain.

## Contribution

The study reveals age-specific carbon storage patterns and key influencing factors in Populus plantations, offering insights for ecological restoration.

## Key findings

- Carbon storage in trunks, branches, and roots increases with stand age, while leaf carbon peaks at 40 years.
- Soil carbon storage consistently increases with stand age, contributing to overall carbon sequestration.
- Diameter at breast height, tree height, age, and stand density are key factors influencing carbon storage.

## Abstract

To explore the relationship between carbon storage and environmental factors in Populus plantations of different stand ages, and to reveal the carbon sequestration mechanisms of Populus plantations across different age classes, this study employed field surveys and laboratory analysis to investigate the distribution patterns and influencing factors of carbon storage in trunk-branch-leaf-root-soil systems of Populus plantations with different stand ages (10 y, 30 y, 40 y, 50 y) in the Luxi Yellow River floodplain. The results showed that the carbon storage in trunks, branches, and roots increased gradually with increasing stand age, while the carbon storage in leaves reached a maximum of 7.52 t·hm2 at 40 y, followed by a gradual decrease. Soil carbon storage increased consistently with stand age. Overall, the total carbon storage of Populus plantations across different age classes exhibited a linear increasing trend with advancing standage. Correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and structural equation modeling indicated that diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (H), tree age (AGE), and stand density (SD) were the key factors affecting carbon storage in Populus plantations. The findings of this study can provide theoretical basis and technical support for enhancing carbon sequestration and sink capacity, as well as ecological restoration of Populus plantations in the Luxi Yellow River floodplain.