14C measurement of forest soils in Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve

Organic carbon in forest soils of Qingyunsi and Wukesong profiles can be divided into fast and slow components. Δ¹⁴C values of these profiles decrease with increasing of depth. The Δ¹⁴C values in 30–40 cm depth interval of Wukesong profile are decreasing sharply until a very low value, showing that a strong geological environment change occurred about 1 560 years ago. The¹⁴C apparent ages of Wukesong profile show that the coniferous and broad-leaf mixed forests around Wukesong profile have been developing since 425 a BP, which is consistent with historical documents. The penetrating depths of “bomb¹⁴C” in Qingyunsi and Wukesong profiles are 10 and 20 cm, respectively.