J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(4):188-201 | DOI: 10.17221/68/2025-JFS

Hydrology and carbon pool characteristics regulate dissolved carbon export in a subtropical forest headwater streamOriginal Paper

Zemin Zhao1, Fuzhong Wu1, Yan Peng1, Qiqian Wu2, Qiao Yang1, Chaoxiang Yuan1, Xiangyin Ni1, Kai Yue1
1 Key Laboratory for Humid Subtropical Eco-Geographical Processes of the Ministry of Education, School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
2 College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Agricultural and Forestry University, Hangzhou, China

Headwater streams are key pathways for carbon (C) transfer from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems. Sediments and plant litter constitute major C pools in streams, yet their roles in regulating dissolved carbon (DC) exports remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations and export through monthly sampling over one year in a subtropical forest headwater stream. DOC export peaked during the wet season (98.9 ± 171.8 kg·h–1), whereas DIC export showed no significant seasonal variation. During the wet season, C pool characteristics were more strongly related to DOC dynamics, whereas during the dry season they were more closely associated with DIC dynamics. DOC concentrations in sediments and plant litter were positively related to stream DOC concentrations, while higher total carbon (TC) storage showed weak relationships with DC exports. These results indicate that C pool characteristics influence stream C dynamics mainly through C quality rather than pool size, and that different C pools exert different effects on DOC and DIC dynamics. However, hydrological variables – especially stream discharge – exerted the strongest control on DC export. Together, these findings indicate that hydrology controls C export, whereas C pools regulate the composition of DC in headwater streams.

Keywords: carbon storage; decay classes; dynamic; litter; sediment

Received: September 3, 2025; Revised: March 28, 2026; Accepted: March 30, 2026; Published: April 29, 2026  Show citation

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Zhao Z, Wu F, Peng Y, Wu Q, Yang Q, Yuan C, et al.. Hydrology and carbon pool characteristics regulate dissolved carbon export in a subtropical forest headwater stream. Journal of Forest Science. 2026;72(4):188-201. doi: 10.17221/68/2025-JFS.
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