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Carbon Stock Assessment in Silvopastoral Systems along an Elevational Gradient: A Study from Cattle Producers in the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve, Ecuadorian Amazon

Author

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  • Bolier Torres

    (Facultad de Ciencia de la Vida, Universidad Estatal Amazónica (UEA), Pastaza 160101, Ecuador
    Animal Science Department, University of Cordoba, Rabanales University Campus, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
    Ochroma Consulting & Services, Tena 150150, Ecuador)

  • Carlos Bravo

    (Facultad de Ciencia de la Tierra, Universidad Estatal Amazónica, Pastaza 160101, Ecuador)

  • Alexandra Torres

    (Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas, Sociales y de la Educación, Universidad Técnica de Babahoyo, Extensión Quevedo (UTB), Km 3 1/2 Vía a Valencia, Los Ríos 120550, Ecuador)

  • Cristhian Tipán-Torres

    (Ochroma Consulting & Services, Tena 150150, Ecuador)

  • Julio C. Vargas

    (Facultad de Ciencias Pecuarias y Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (UTEQ), Quevedo Av. Quito km, 1 1/2 Vía a Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Quevedo 120550, Ecuador)

  • Robinson J. Herrera-Feijoo

    (Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (UTEQ), Quevedo Av. Quito km, 1 1/2 Vía a Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Quevedo 120550, Ecuador)

  • Marco Heredia-R

    (Facultad de Ciencias Pecuarias y Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (UTEQ), Quevedo Av. Quito km, 1 1/2 Vía a Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Quevedo 120550, Ecuador)

  • Cecilio Barba

    (Animal Science Department, University of Cordoba, Rabanales University Campus, 14071 Cordoba, Spain)

  • Antón García

    (Animal Science Department, University of Cordoba, Rabanales University Campus, 14071 Cordoba, Spain)

Abstract

Silvopastoral system (SPS) has been considered as a sustainable management system contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, among other benefits compared with open pasture. However, little research has been conducted on the soil and tree biomass carbon stored in traditional pasture with dispersed trees (PWT) compared with pasture in monoculture (PM). The present study was conducted in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region (EAR), along an elevational gradient from 400 to 2000 masl., within the buffer and transition zone of the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve (SBR), using 71 temporary circular plots of 2826 m 2 , where 26 plots were stablished in PWT and 45 plots in PM. The main results in PWT show significant differences ( p ≤ 0.01) between aboveground carbon biomass (AGC trees ) from 41.1 (lowlands), 26.5 (Middle hills) and 16.7 (high mountains) Mg ha −1 respectively, with an average of 31.0 Mg ha −1 in the whole study area. The total carbon pool along the altitudinal gradient in five components: (AGC trees ), belowground carbon (BGC trees ), pasture carbon (AGC litter+pasture ) and carbon in soil components (0–10 and 10–30 cm) for PWT ranged from 112.80 (lowlands) to 91.34 (high mountains) Mg ha −1 ; while for the PM systems assessing three components (AGC litter+pasture ) and carbon in soil components (0–10 and 10–30 cm) ranged from 52.5 (lowlands) to 77.8 (middle zone) Mg ha −1 . Finally, the paper shows the main dominant tree species in pasture systems that contribute to carbon storage along elevational gradient and concludes with recommendations for decision-making aimed at improving cattle ranching systems through a silvopastoral approach to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Bolier Torres & Carlos Bravo & Alexandra Torres & Cristhian Tipán-Torres & Julio C. Vargas & Robinson J. Herrera-Feijoo & Marco Heredia-R & Cecilio Barba & Antón García, 2022. "Carbon Stock Assessment in Silvopastoral Systems along an Elevational Gradient: A Study from Cattle Producers in the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve, Ecuadorian Amazon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2022:i:1:p:449-:d:1016782
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bolier Torres & Verónica Andrade & Marco Heredia-R & Theofilos Toulkeridis & Kleber Estupiñán & Marcelo Luna & Carlos Bravo & Antón García, 2022. "Productive Livestock Characterization and Recommendations for Good Practices Focused on the Achievement of the SDGs in the Ecuadorian Amazon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Lucas R. Vargas Zeppetello & Susan C. Cook-Patton & Luke A. Parsons & Nicholas H. Wolff & Timm Kroeger & David S. Battisti & Joseph Bettles & June T. Spector & Arjun Balakumar & Yuta J. Masuda, 2022. "Consistent cooling benefits of silvopasture in the tropics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
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    5. Thony Huera-Lucero & Adela Salas-Ruiz & Daysi Changoluisa & Carlos Bravo-Medina, 2020. "Towards Sustainable Urban Planning for Puyo (Ecuador): Amazon Forest Landscape as Potential Green Infrastructure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-28, June.
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