Biomass and carbon storage in an age-sequence of Acacia mangium plantation forests in Southeastern region, Vietnam

Aim of the study: The major objective of this study was to estimate the biomass increment and carbon (C) storage of the main ecosystem components in an age-sequence of three Acacia mangium plantation stands.Area of study: Chang Riec Historical - Cultural Forest, Southeastern region, Vietnam.Material and methods: In order to assess the biomass of different tree components, 36 trees with diameter at breast height ranging from 13.38 to 22.87 cm were harvested from the different aged stands. Biomasses of understory (shrubs and herbs), and litter were also determined. Carbon storage in the trees and understory biomass, litter, and mineral soil (0-50 cm) were determined by analyzing the C content of each compartment.Main results: The biomass in trees, understory vegetation, litter, and ecosystem increased with stand age. Soil C represented 61.99% of the total, aboveground tree biomass C made up 26.73%, belowground tree biomass C accounted for 7.01%, and litter comprised 2.96%, whereas only a small amount (1.30%) was associated with understory vegetation. The average C content of total tree (47.97%) was higher than those of understory and litter. Soil organic C stock in the top 50 cm depth in 4-, 7- and 11-year-old stands of A. mangium were 86.86, 126.88 and 140.94 Mg. C ha-1 respectively. Soil C concentration decreased continually with increasing soil depth. Total C storage of three planted forests ranged from 131.36 to 255.86 Mg. C ha-1, of which 56.09 - 67.61% of C storage was in the soil and 26.88 - 40.40% in the trees.Research highlights: These results suggest that A. mangium is a promising afforestation tree species with fast growing, high biomass accumulation and high C sequestration potential.Keywords: Acacia mangium plantations; Biomass; Ecosystem carbon storage; Age-sequence; Vietnam.