Carbon concentration changes in biomass components of black pine forests: Case study from Sündiken Mountains, Eskişehir

Abstract

Understanding carbon concentration in different tree components is essential for accurate forest carbon accounting and climate change mitigation efforts. This study investigated the carbon concentrations of wood, bark, needles, and roots in natural black pine (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana) forests located in the central part of Türkiye. Samples were collected from ten pure mature stands between 1000 and 1600 m elevation, considering both aspect and slope position. Carbon content was analyzed using an elemental analyzer. Results showed significant differences in carbon concentration among tree components, with the highest mean carbon concentration found in wood (54.96%), followed by bark (53.90%) and needles (52.89%), while the lowest was found in roots (51.75%). Above-ground and total tree biomass-weighted carbon concentrations were calculated to be 54.68% and 54.19%, respectively. Carbon content in needles and roots was significantly influenced by aspect and slope position. The study highlights the importance of using component-based and site-specific carbon coefficients, rather than default coefficients, to improve the precision of national carbon inventories and forest-based carbon credit projects.