Effects of forest type and urbanization on carbon storage of urban forests in Changchun, Northeast China

Rapid urbanization has led to dramatic changes in urban forest structures and functions, and consequently affects carbon (C) storage in cities. In this study, field surveys were combined with high resolution images to investigate the variability of C storage of urban forests in Changchun, Northeast China. The main objectives of this study were to quantify the C storage of urban forests in Changchun City, Northeast China and understand the effects of forest type and urbanization on C storage of urban forests. The results showed that the mean C density and the total C storage of urban forests in Changchun were 4.41 kg/m(2) and 4.74 x 10(8) kg, respectively. There were significant differences in C density among urban forest types. Landscape and relaxation forest (LF) had the highest C density with 5.41 kg/m(2), while production and management forest (PF) had the lowest C density with 1.46 kg/m(2). These differences demonstrate that urban forest type is an important factor needed to be considered when the C storage is accurately estimated. Further findings revealed significant differences in different gradients of urbanization, and the mean C density decreased from the first ring (6.99 kg/m(2)) to the fourth ring (2.87 kg/m(2)). The total C storage increased from the first ring to the third ring. These results indicate that C storage by urban forests will be significantly changed during the process of urbanization. The results can provide insights for decision-makers and urban planners to better understand the effects of forest type and urbanization on C storage of urban forests in Changchun, and make better management plans for urban forests.