Regional Carbon Storage Dynamics Driven by Tea Plantation Expansion: Insights from Meitan County, China

Renhui Zuo, Yan Ma, Ming Tang, Hao Luo, Junqin Li, Tao Liao, Yuanfang Gong, Shunfu Zhang, Jiyi Gong () and Yin Yi ()
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Renhui Zuo: School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China
Yan Ma: School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China
Ming Tang: School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China
Hao Luo: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Junqin Li: Meitan County Modern and Efficient Agricultural Park Management Committee, Zunyi 564100, China
Tao Liao: Meitan County Modern and Efficient Agricultural Park Management Committee, Zunyi 564100, China
Yuanfang Gong: Meitan County Modern and Efficient Agricultural Park Management Committee, Zunyi 564100, China
Shunfu Zhang: Meitan County Modern and Efficient Agricultural Park Management Committee, Zunyi 564100, China
Jiyi Gong: School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China
Yin Yi: School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: Over the past two decades, the tea plantation area in Meitan County, China, has expanded nearly 30-fold, driving significant land use and cover changes (LUCC) with unclear impacts on regional carbon storage. This study uses the PLUS-InVEST model to analyze LUCC impacts on carbon storage from 2000 to 2020 and predict future changes by 2060. Results show a decline in total carbon storage from 3977.83 × 10 4 t in 2000 to 3960.85 × 10 4 t in 2020, primarily due to reductions in cultivated land and grassland. Although carbon storage in forest land and tea plantations increased, the overall trend remained negative. Multi-scenario simulations indicate that the sustainable development scenario (SDS) mitigates carbon loss, with a decrease of 31.53 × 10 4 t, compared to larger reductions in the natural development (NDS) and economic development (EDS) scenarios. Under the SDS scenario, carbon storage in forest land and grassland increased while construction land expansion was controlled. This study emphasizes optimizing land use and agricultural management to enhance carbon sequestration and protect ecosystems, highlighting the need for a balance between ecological protection and economic development for sustainable carbon management in Meitan County.

Keywords: LUCC; area of rapid tea plantation expansion; PLUS-InVEST model; carbon storage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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