Carbon storage in tree biomass dispersed in pastures in the arid Caribbean region of Colombia

Abstract

Aim of study: To determine the importance in terms of carbon sequestration of dispersed trees in pasture lands as a greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation measure.
 Area of study: The study was carried out in the municipality of Agustin Codazzi (Cesar Department, Colombia), between October 2020 and March 2021.
 Material and methods: We characterized 43.57 hectares dispersed amongst sixteen plots and all trees with a diameter at breast height > 10 cm were measured. Allometric equations were used to estimate aboveground biomass storage and species were classified in terms of use: timber products (TP) and non-timber products (NTP).
 Main results: A total of 750 trees were registered, 10 families and 28 species, of which NTP and TP represented 60.71% and 32.1% respectively. Aboveground carbon stock in trees in pastures was estimated at 7.15 + 4.8 Mg C ha-1. The most abundant species were Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. and Albizia saman (Jacq.) Merr.
 Research highlights: NTP species present a high potential for carbon storage and provide livestock assets. Placing value on carbon storage in rangelands can offset the low opportunity cost of trees in pastures by providing incentives for carbon storage, conservation, and recovery of threatened species.

Biodiversity and Carbon Sequestration in Chakra-Type Agroforestry Systems and Humid Tropical Forests of the Ecuadorian Amazon

“…This means that the greater the diversity of species, the greater the carbon store [9,52]. Furthermore, several studies affirm that the transition from monocultures to AFSs has a great potential to store carbon, which improves with the age and density of tree species [34,52], such as silvopastoral systems (SPSs) in the arid region of Colombia with 7.15 Mg C ha −1 [1] and other studies in Colombian territory (31 Mg C ha −1 ) [56]. In this context, it is confirmed that SPSs and AFSs are important management and improvement alternatives to counteract the expansion of the agricultural frontier and therefore minimize GHG emissions that lead to global warming.…”

“…Currently, tropical forests constitute 45% of the global forest area according to FAO 2020 [1]. However, in recent times there has been a significant decrease, due to the deforestation and degradation of tropical forests due to the constant change in land use [1,2].…”

“…Currently, tropical forests constitute 45% of the global forest area according to FAO 2020 [1]. However, in recent times there has been a significant decrease, due to the deforestation and degradation of tropical forests due to the constant change in land use [1,2]. In this sense, the implementation of agroforestry systems and the conservation of the remaining tropical forests emerge as an alternative to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases (GHGs), and therefore global warming [3][4][5][6], for their ability to regulate carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and store carbon, as well as influence agreements and decision making on global climate change [7][8][9].…”