Estimating carbon storage of desert ecosystems in China

Although desert ecosystems are commonly considered to have low carbon storage owing to their sparse vegetation and limited carbon sequestration capacity, they comprise 13.5% of China's terrestrial ecosystems and cover approximately 35% of the Earth's land surface, so they still possess significant carbon storage. The carbon storage of desert ecosystems in China was estimated using MODIS-NDVI data in combination with ground survey, soil census, and literature statistical data. The results indicated that the carbon storage of desert ecosystems in China was 7.063 Pg in 2020. One-meter soil carbon storage accounted for the largest proportion (89.514%), approximately 6.322 Pg, followed by vegetation carbon at 0.741 Pg, and biological soil crust carbon at 0.002 Pg. The carbon density of desert ecosystems was 33.895 Mg.ha−1, with soil carbon density, vegetation carbon density, and biological soil crust carbon density at 30.330, 3.554, and 0.011 Mg.ha−1, respectively. This research provides important evidence for the correct understanding of the carbon storage of desert ecosystems in China.