Scholarlink

<p>Forest passive rewilding, a nature-based restoration approach that minimizes human disturbances, supports forest succession and ecosystem functional restoration. However, its effect on ecosystem carbon stock and forest productivity remains elusive and context-dependent. This study investigated the long-term (up to 30&#xa0;years) effects of rewilding on forest structure, above- and below-ground carbon pools, and annual productivity in a subtropical forest dominated by the fast-growing species, Moso bamboo (<i>Phyllostachys edulis</i>). Compared to conventional management, rewilding significantly restructured forests by increasing stand density and the proportion of old bamboo culms (≥ 7&#xa0;years old), and decreasing understory plant richness. However, the response of bamboo growth varied across rewilding durations and culm ages. Only long-term rewilding (30&#xa0;years) improved the growth of young bamboo culms (≤ 5&#xa0;years old, increased by 12–35%,<i> P</i> &lt; 0.05) through soil improvement. These changes led to increased total bamboo biomass after rewilding. Moreover, compared to regular harvest in conventional bamboo forest, rewilding retained carbon from harvested biomass to in-situ (standing bamboo, deadwood and soil) carbon stocks. This shift in carbon allocation was associated with a reduction in annual gross primary productivity (AGPP, –&#xa0;61%,<i> P</i> &lt; 0.001) and an increase in total soil organic carbon stock (+ 63%,<i> P</i> &lt; 0.05). Ultimately, the structural equation model indicated that ecosystem productivity and carbon stock were mainly influenced by the bamboo and its stand structure, as mediated by rewilding duration, rather than understory plants. Together, these findings provide an integrative framework for evaluating carbon sequestration strategy after passive rewilding, and offer critical insights for understanding sustainable forest management strategies that balance short-term productivity with long-term carbon storage to support climate-mitigation goals.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Long-term passive rewilding enhances total carbon stock but reduces annual productivity in abandoned bamboo forests

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月30日

查看全文
  • Hongsheng Qing,
  • Zhikang Wang,
  • Jiacun Li,
  • Ruiren Jing,
  • Ye Zhang,
  • Quan Li,
  • Shuaimin Chen,
  • Xinzhang Song

摘要

Forest passive rewilding, a nature-based restoration approach that minimizes human disturbances, supports forest succession and ecosystem functional restoration. However, its effect on ecosystem carbon stock and forest productivity remains elusive and context-dependent. This study investigated the long-term (up to 30 years) effects of rewilding on forest structure, above- and below-ground carbon pools, and annual productivity in a subtropical forest dominated by the fast-growing species, Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis). Compared to conventional management, rewilding significantly restructured forests by increasing stand density and the proportion of old bamboo culms (≥ 7 years old), and decreasing understory plant richness. However, the response of bamboo growth varied across rewilding durations and culm ages. Only long-term rewilding (30 years) improved the growth of young bamboo culms (≤ 5 years old, increased by 12–35%, P < 0.05) through soil improvement. These changes led to increased total bamboo biomass after rewilding. Moreover, compared to regular harvest in conventional bamboo forest, rewilding retained carbon from harvested biomass to in-situ (standing bamboo, deadwood and soil) carbon stocks. This shift in carbon allocation was associated with a reduction in annual gross primary productivity (AGPP, – 61%, P < 0.001) and an increase in total soil organic carbon stock (+ 63%, P < 0.05). Ultimately, the structural equation model indicated that ecosystem productivity and carbon stock were mainly influenced by the bamboo and its stand structure, as mediated by rewilding duration, rather than understory plants. Together, these findings provide an integrative framework for evaluating carbon sequestration strategy after passive rewilding, and offer critical insights for understanding sustainable forest management strategies that balance short-term productivity with long-term carbon storage to support climate-mitigation goals.