Abstract: Clarifying the carbon sequestration capacity of aboveground vegetation and enhancement strategies in mine reclamation sites is a prerequisite for targeted management of land reclamation to improve the carbon sequestration capacity. With the mine reclamation area in Anshan City as the study area, we used high-resolution remote sensing images, airborne LiDAR, and ground investigations as the main data sources, and employed the LANDIS PRO model to quantify the current status of carbon storage and carbon sequestration capacity. A scenario analysis was conducted to clarify the impacts of tree species adjustment (Larix gmelinii, Populus alba × P. berolinensis, Acer mono, and Sophora japonica) and thinning intensity (15%, 30%, and 45% of the tree number in the deforested stand) on carbon sequestration capacity. The results showed that: (1) The total area of mine land reclamation in Anshan City was 1534.76 hm², with Robinia pseudoacacia being the main reclaimed tree species and Amorpha fruticose being the main shrub species. (2) Carbon density of aboveground vegetation in the current restoration area ranged from 23.22 to 45.50 t·hm^-2. The carbon density of forest was 23.87-49.71 t·hm^-2, that of shrub was 0.32-7.51 t·hm^-2, that of grassland was 2.59-2.78 t·hm^-2, and that of cultivated land was 3.77 t·hm^-2. (3) The current carbon sequestration rate of aboveground vegetation in the mine reclamation land in Anshan City was 2.48 t·hm^-2·a^-1. The carbon sequestration rate could be effectively promoted by adjusting species structure and thinning management of forests. Among them, the optimal thinning intensity was 30%, which can increase carbon sequestration rate by 18.54%. The carbon sequestration rate would be increased by 19.35% when Robinia pseud-oacacia was replaced by Populus alba × P. berolinensis. Our results provide scientific support for targeted ecological restoration to enhance the carbon sequestration capacity of aboveground vegetation in the mining areas.

Key words: reclamation land of Anshan mining area, airborne LiDAR, LANDIS PRO model, carbon storage, carbon sequestration rate