Cuantificación de carbono orgánico almacenado en tres compartimientos a lo largo de un gradiente altitudinal en la microcuenca del río Blanco, parroquia Quimiag.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to quantify the content of organic carbon stored in aboveground biomass, necromass and rootlets along an altitudinal gradient in Rio Blanco micro-watershed, Quimiag parish, Chimborazo province, Ecuador. Applying the proposed methodology by the Environment of Ecuador Ministry, a conglomerate was carried out, with three plots of 20 x 20 m separated by 50 m, distributed in an L-shape. The non-destructive method was used to determine the tree biomass to estimate the organic carbon stored. The procedure for sampling aerial biomass, necromass and rootlets was established in nested plots in each of the subplots. The plots had an area of 0.25 m2, i.e. 50 x 50 cm. The collected samples were weighed when green and transferred to the laboratory for drying in an oven at a temperature of 105 ºC until a constant weight (dry weight) was reached. Comparative tables were generated between the amounts of organic carbon stored and an Analysis of Variance (ADEVA) was performed, which is a central technique in the analysis of experimental data. The organic carbon content (Mg/Ha) in the high montane evergreen forest ecosystems at the altitude of 3201-3400 (m.a.s.l.) with an average of 92.2 MgC/Ha, the páramo grassland ecosystem at altitudes of 3401-3600 (m. s.n.m.) and 3601-3800 (m.a.s.l.) with an average of 8.90 and 9.59 MgC/Ha respectively, the subnival evergreen shrubland ecosystem of the páramo at the altitude of 3801-4000 (m.a.s.l.) with an average of 7.29 MgC/Ha. This study allowed understanding that the ecosystems are good carbon dioxide collectors and organic carbon storers. It is recommended to report the findings of this research to the control institutions such as the Ministry of Environment.