Carbon Capture Analysis in Two Forage Systems as a Tool for Mitigating Global Warming. Study Case: Sumaco Biosphere Reserve — Ecuador

Abstract

Global warming is the phenomenon in which the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere produces the increase of the global average temperature. Carbon dioxide is one of the main responsible for the “extended” greenhouse effect. The release of this gas mostly obeys to anthropogenic activities effect. Plants contribute to store the atmospheric CO2 through the photosynthesis and biomass production. The forests capability to store carbon is well known around the world, however in Ecuador there is insufficient information about this topic. This paper presents the research conducted in order to quantify the carbon stored in two soil use systems. Pastures with and without shade were analyzed during the study. Both soil use systems are located in the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve. Temporary sample plots of 500m2 were installed in three towns of Napo Province. The sample plots were divided in several smaller plots and trial pits. All storage components of woody and herbaceous strata were analyzed. The obtained data were expressed in tons per hectare of estimated CO2. The results of the study showed on one hand, that the main storage component in both soil use systems was the soil; whereas, forage production was higher in system without shade.