Variación altitudinal del contenido de carbono aéreo de bosques secos en la Reserva Natural Laipuna al sur de Ecuador

The dry forests of the world are unique and diverse ecosystems that are among the most threatened. Their range has been significantly reduced because of social and economic pressures, affecting their ability to provide ecosystem goods and services. Carbon storage is one of the most important ecosystem services of dry forests. These ecosystems store large amounts of carbon in their biomass and soil, which makes them an important tool for climate change mitigation. The objective of this study was to determine the changes in aboveground carbon content at two altitudinal levels (600 and 1 200 m a.s.l.) in the Laipuna Nature and Culture International Nature Reserve. Diameter at breast height (BDH) and total height of tree individuals with DBH > 10 cm were recorded in six permanent plots of one hectare. The Chave equation was used to estimate carbon in aboveground biomass, considering DBH (cm) and tree height (m), as well as wood density (g/cm3) of the species present in the permanent plots. The carbon stock was 35,61 Mg C ha-1 for 600 m a.s.l., and at 1 200 m a.s.l., with 43,20 Mg C ha-1; thus demonstrating that altitude is a factor that does not influence aerial carbon storage. Carbon content at the different altitudes did not show any statistically significant differences. It was observed that there is a marked separation of macronutrients (N, P, K) between floors, which shows that there is more K and P at 600 m a.s.l., and N at 1 200 m a.s.l. Therefore, since these soils are fertile, the carbon in aerial biomass (Mg C 0,04 ha-1) does not depend or have no relationship with the macronutrients in the soil, rather it depends on variables like the availability of water. It is considered that this type of forest represents an option to counteract the increase of atmospheric CO2, which is an important justification for its conservation, even more so when the forest is under dynamic growth processes.

• Autor principal: Gonzalez Valdiviezo, Karina Cecibel (author)
• Format: masterThesis
• Idioma: spa
• Publicat: 2023
• Matèries: BOSQUE SECO; BIOMASA AEREA; MACRONUTRIENTES
• Accés en línia: https://dspace.unl.edu.ec/jspui/handle/123456789/28479