Mediterranean shrublands as carbon sinks for climate change mitigation: new root-to-shoot ratios

Abstract

Shrublands play an important role in the reduction of atmospheric CO 2 and contribute to the mitigation of the effects of Climate Change, due to their ability to act as carbon sinks and the large expanses of land involved. Two of the most representative shrub species in the Iberian Peninsula, Cistus ladanifer L. and Erica arborea L., were studied in terms of biomass distribution and carbon and nitrogen contents in the different fractions. With a view to fast and cost-effective estimation of radical biomass, a new procedure for facile root-to-shoot calculation based on vibrational data was proposed, resulting in an excellent agreement with the values obtained from conventional direct belowground and aerial biomass measurements: 0.23 for C. ladanifer and 0.54 for E. arborea. Carbon sequestration, estimated at 45 and 73 t CO2 eq•ha -1 for C. ladanider and E. arborea, respectively, was subsequently determined. Since these values are substantially higher than those of other shrubs, these two key species can be deemed as particularly promising for ecological restoration and carbon offsetting.

On the Physicochemical Characteristics and Applications of an “Undesirable” Pyrenean Thorny Cushion Dwarf: Echinospartum horridum (Vahl) Roth

“…The C, H, and N percentages of E. horridum components (wt% of dry material) were in the 48.3–50.3%, 6.51–6.56% and 0.90–2.08% range, respectively ( Table 1 ). These values are in good correspondence with the overall chemical composition reported for other shrubs, such as C. ladanifer (47.8% C, 6.4% H and 0.8% N) or E. arborea (51.0% C, 6.2% H and 1.0% N) [ 12 ].…”

“…The C, H, and N percentages of E. horridum components (wt% of dry material) were in the 48.3-50.3%, 6.51-6.56% and 0.90-2.08% range, respectively (Table 1). These values are in good correspondence with the overall chemical composition reported for other shrubs, such as C. ladanifer (47.8% C, 6.4% H and 0.8% N) or E. arborea (51.0% C, 6.2% H and 1.0% N) [12]. The distribution of nitrogen content, with maximum values in the leaves and decreasing by half in the stems and branches, is in agreement with that reported by García Rosa [13] for C. ladanifer fractions.…”

“…The distribution of nitrogen content, with maximum values in the leaves and decreasing by half in the stems and branches, is in agreement with that reported by García Rosa [13] for C. ladanifer fractions. Regarding the C/N ratio values, those obtained for the leaves (23.2%) are similar to those found for C. ladanifer (26.5%), but half of those obtained for E. arborea (50.5%) [12].…”

Effects of Climate Change on Temperate Forests in the Northwest Iberian Peninsula

“…Understanding how these forests can respond to such changes will allow for the implementation of more efficient and informed management strategies, protecting these forests and the vital services they provide. It is important to underline that forests are not only passive victims of climate changes, but can also play an active role in mitigating climate changes through carbon sequestration [24]. However, the success of this function will depend on the ability to sustainably maintain and manage forest ecosystems, reinforcing the importance of studying these systems [25].…”

Caracterización físicoquímica y aprovechamiento de dos especies pirófilas mediterráneas: Cistus Ladanifer L. y Erica Arborea L.

“…The elemental analysis and vegetal component percentages data used for above calculations, collected from 25 samples of each species with an average height (Carrión-Prieto et al 2016), is summarized in Table 2. For the determination of ash content, the methodology described in ISO 18122:2015 (ISO 2015) was used, using 5 replicates.…”