Lithological control on phytolith carbon sequestration in moso bamboo forests

Area of Science:

• Soil Science
• Ecology
• Biogeochemistry

Background:

• Phytolith-occluded carbon (PhytOC) represents a stable soil carbon pool.
• Understanding PhytOC dynamics is crucial for global carbon balance assessments.
• Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) is a significant terrestrial plant with potential for carbon sequestration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify phytolith and PhytOC accumulation in moso bamboo leaves across diverse parent materials.
• To assess the impact of parent material on PhytOC content and production flux.
• To evaluate the potential of moso bamboo for carbon sequestration in China.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of phytolith and PhytOC content in moso bamboo leaves.
• Measurement of PhytOC production flux based on parent material.
• Estimation of net carbon sequestration by bamboo phytoliths in China.

Main Results:

• PhytOC content in moso bamboo leaves followed the order: granodiorite > granite > basalt > shale.
• PhytOC production flux varied significantly across parent materials, ranging from 1.0 to 64.8 kg CO₂ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹.
• Moso bamboo phytoliths in China could sequester a net 4.7 × 10⁶–310.8 × 10⁶ kg CO₂ yr⁻¹.

Conclusions:

• Parent material significantly influences PhytOC accumulation in moso bamboo.
• Moso bamboo exhibits substantial potential for phytolith carbon sequestration, especially in China.
• Afforestation and soil amendment strategies, particularly in granodiorite-rich areas, can enhance carbon sequestration by bamboo.