Spatial Pattern of Carbon Storage in the Drawdown Area of the Three Gorges Reservoir

"The spatial patterns of carbon storage were analyzed based on GIS and the natural environments in the drawdown area of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). The results showed that carbon storage in the drawdown area was 514 862. 3 tC and the area is gradually playing a role as a regional carbon sink. Carbon storage changes along the elevation grade, with 160 ~ 170 m above mean sea level having the largest carbon storage at 229 367. 46 tC and other elevations following in the order: 160 ~170 m>150 ~ 160 m>170 ~ 175 m >145 ~ 150 m. Carbon storage was zero in areas with greater land slopes (>25°) due to water erosion and exposed bedrock leading to sparse growth of vegetation. In different slope zones, carbon storage was in the sequence: 5° ~ 15°>0° ~ 5°>15° ~ 25°. On the whole, due to the regulation and operation modes of TGR the drawdown zone had luxuriant vegetation in summer, which had uptake and accumulation of large carbon and had big carbon sequestration potential.Under these conditions, the distribution of carbon storage along the elevation grade and the slope grade in drawdown area of TGR are deeply affected by the soil, climate, human impacts and others."