[Storage of carbon and nitrogen in Quercus and Platycladus orientalis plantations at different ages in the hilly area of western Henan Province, China.].

In the study, the method of space substituting time was used to investigate the distribution pattern of carbon and nitrogen storages in Quercus and Platycladus orientalis plantation ecosystems at different ages in hilly area of western Henan Province, China. We also analyzed the dynamic changes of soil carbon and nitrogen storages in different soil layers in the two plantation ecosystems. The results showed that the carbon storage in the arbor and litter layers increased with the increasing tree age. The storage of carbon and nitrogen in soil aggregated mainly in the surface layer and showed a trend of decrease-increase-decrease with the increasing tree age in all soil layers. The ranges of carbon and nitrogen storage in the surface soil were 20.31-50.07 and 1.68-2.12 t·hm in Quercus plantation, and 23.99-48.76 and 1.59-2.34 t·hm in P. orientalis plantation, respectively. Carbon storage ranges in Quercus and P. orientalis plantation ecosystems at different ages were 52.04-275.82 and 62.18-279.81 t·hm, respectively. The carbon sequestration capacity in P. orientalis plantation was a little higher than that in Quercus plantation. Soil C/N increased with the increase of afforestation age.