Almacenamiento de carbono en especies predominantes de flora en el lago Chinchaycocha

Abstract

Objectives: Assess the amount of carbon storage of the predominant species of flora in the Chinchaycocha lake. Methods: The type research was basic, cross-sectional and with a exploratory-comparative level. The study was done in three ecosystems within the lake: wetland, grassland and cattails, which were identified using Landsat satellite images. The procedure was based on the collection of samples divided into: aboveground biomass, root biomass and soil samples and then determining the carbon content of each one. Results: In the cattails it was obtained that Schoenoplectus californicus Var. Tatora stores 30.65 tC/ha and Juncos arcticus Var. Andicola stores 8,70 tC/ha. In the grassland Deyeuxia recta Kunth stores 7,02 tC/ha in its aboveground biomass and 8,41 tC/ha in its root biomass. In the wetland Plantago tubulosa stores 0,81 tC/ha in its aboveground biomass and 1,88 tC/ha in its root biomass. Eleocharis albibracteata stores 0,22 tC/ha in its aboveground biomass and 2,95 tC/ha in its root biomass, and Limosella australis stores 0,22 tC/ha in its aboveground biomass and 0,38 tC/ha in its root biomass. The soil carbon storage was determined for 774,76 tC/ha in grassland and 684,58 tC/ ha in wetland. Conclusions: We concluded that the ecosystem of Chinchaycocha lake whit the highest amount of carbon storage is cattails, followed by grasslands and to a lesser extent the wetlands. Also, the soils are considered the biggest carbon sinks.