Evaluation of Carbon Storage on Terrestrial Ecosystem in Hebei Province Based on InVEST Model

Understanding the spatial distribution and dynamics of carbon storage provides scientific support for the quantification and management of ecosystem carbon pools. Based on the land use data of Hebei Province from 1990 to 2015, the amount of carbon storage in this region was estimated using InVEST model. The impacts of trends in land use change and the expansion of construction land on changes in carbon storage were evaluated and analyzed. The results show that between 1990 and 2015 marsh wetlands and deciduous broad-leaved forests had the largest carbon density in Hebei Province. The total carbon storage was relatively high in the mountainous forest areas in the northwest of Hebei Province, while that in the southern plain area was relatively low. The total carbon storage in Hebei Province showed a decline from 1990 to 2015, the carbon storage decreased by 44.48 Tg between 1990 and 2015. Among land-use changes that cause a reduction in carbon storage, construction land expansion accounts for the highest proportion. Shijiazhuang, the provincial capital, was the region with the largest expansion of construction land, and it also had a large reduction in carbon storage (8.83 Tg), while the Chengde region had the lowest reduction in carbon storage (0.44 Tg). This suggests that the extent and scale of construction land expansion will have the greatest effect on the decline of carbon reserves. In general, the carbon storage in Hebei Province shows a downward trend, and the scale of construction land expansion affects the decline rate of carbon storage. This study provides scientific information for optimizing land use design, reducing carbon emissions, and improving ecological benefits.