Cuantificación de carbono orgánico en dos ecosistemas tropicales del bosque protector Casacay, provincia de El Oro

Abstract

This study aims to quantify the storage of organic carbon in semi-deciduous and evergreen forest ecosystems of the Casacay Protected Forest, given its crucial role in climate change. To achieve this, diversity indices were developed, allometric equations were used for vegetation and soil samples were processed in the laboratory. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index was used to calculate diversity. In relation to the quantification of carbon in above ground biomass, data were obtained in field of diameter breast height, height, and wood density, the latter obtained through a database, for the application of previously selected allometric equations. For the quantification of soil organic carbon, composite samples were obtained at a depth of 0 to 30 cm and samples were obtained by cylinders with known volume to obtain the organic matter and bulk density variables respectively, through laboratory processing. Results by eosystem show species diversity values of 2,22 and 2,54 for semi-deciduous and evergreen forest ecosystems respectively. Mean biomass carbon values were 39,61 t/ha for semi-deciduous forest and 57,15 t/ha for evergreen forest. Finally, the calculated mean soil organic carbon values were 76,42 t/ha and 112,87 for semi-deciduous and evergreen forest ecosystems, respectively.