Estimation of above-ground live biomass and carbon stocks in different plant formations and in the soil of dry forests of the Ecuadorian coast

Abstract

Dry forests are very fragile ecosystems as they are easily used as a source of subsistence products. In this sense, quantifying the carbon stock in these forests is of relevant importance for their conservation and to be able to quantify their participation as mitigation of the effects of climate change. Five 250 m2-sample plots were established to estimate carbon stored in two pools for each of the plant formations identified (Dry Scrubland, DS; Dry Deciduous Forest, DDF; Dry Semideciduous Forest, DSF). The amount of carbon stored in soils was determined by analyzing the organic carbon randomly taken in each plot. Allometric equations were used to estimate the amount of carbon in above-ground biomass, taking the total height (H) and the diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees whose DBH is equal to or greater than 5 cm. The total carbon stored in each plant formation was estimated by adding the amount of carbon in biomass and in soils, resulting in 60.30, 69.62, and 123.05 Mg of carbon per hectare for the DS, DDF, and DSF, respectively.