Construction of the Carbon Sink Capacity Evaluation System of Main Afforestation Tree Species in South China and Selection of the Fine Carbon Sink Species

In this study, the carbon content of trunk, lateral branches, bark and leaves of 52 tree species in the 11-year-old arbor species of comparative experimental forest in Dongjiang forest farm of Guangdong Province was measured. The carbon content differences among tree species, families and vegetation types were analyzed and compared. Using analytic hierarchy process to establish the superior carbon sink tree evaluation method , and estimate index ‘A’ value of carbon sink capacity. The results showed that carbon contents were significantly different among tree species, families and vegetation types, which provides basis for the selection of fine carbon sink species. The carbon content among tree species showed a rank of trunk >  lateral branch > bark > leaves. Comparative analysis among vegetation types indicated that evergreen coniferous species had the highest carbon content level, followed by evergreen broad-leaved species, deciduous broad-leaved species showed the lowest carbon content level. Twelve species including Podocarpus nagi, Pinus massoniana, Nageia fleuryi and Manglietia glance, etc. were considered as high level of carbon content species. After comparing the growth and carbon content, a total of 8 species including Manglietia glanca, Acacia farnesiana and Pinus massoniana were considered as fine carbon sink species. These tree species could be used in carbon sink afforestation in the south subtropical region of Guangdong Province.