Tree species composition affects productivity and carbon dynamics of different site types in boreal forests

The objective was to analyse how differences in the initial proportions of tree species and site fertility affect carbon sequestration in living biomass and soil. We used the individual-based simulation model EFIMOD, which is able to simulate spatially explicit competition between trees for light and nutrients. Simulations were carried out for three site types with distinct initial stocks of soil nutrients. For each site, the 100-years undisturbed dynamics of monocultures and mixtures of three tree species (Betula pendula Roth, Pinus sylvestris L. and Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) was predicted. Changes in the proportions of competing tree species were dependent on the fertility of the site: on poor sites, pine was the most competent species, while on rich sites, spruce increased its proportion during stand succession. Net primary production (NPP) and soil respiration were the highest in stands of two coniferous species and in stands with a high initial proportion of pine. Mixed stands were more productive than monocultures; the highest overyielding was observed with mixtures of two coniferous species. Simulated NPP and carbon stocks in all pools increased from poor to rich sites. The highest carbon stocks in standing biomass were observed for mixtures of conifer species and three-species mixtures; the greatest accumulation of forest floor occurred in stands with high proportions of pine.