Abstract

CARVAJAL-AGUDELO, Blanca N.  and  ANDRADE, Hernán J.. Carbon capture regarding biomass from rural land use systems near the municipality of Yopal, Casanare, Colombia. Orinoquia [online]. 2020, vol.24, n.1, pp.13-22. ISSN 0121-3709.  https://doi.org/10.22579/20112629.587.

Climate change caused by increased greenhouse gas (GHG) concentration causes alterations in the planet’s climate and increases the average global temperature, thereby affecting rainfall patterns. This study’s target area was the town of Tacarimena in the municipality of Yopal; it has eight rural areas. The area is located around 380 masl and has a warm, humid climate, a mean annual rainfall of 2,270 mm, a dry season between December and March and a rainy season from April to November. This research has estimated seven land-use systems’ above- and below-ground biomass and total carbon storage in line with a low-carbon development policy: 1) plantain with shade (SAF + plantain), 2) cocoa with shade (Ca + S), 3) citrus (C), 4) low-lying silvopastoral system (LSS), 5) high-lying silvopastoral system (HSS), 6) gallery forest (GF) and 7) bush (B). A completely randomised experimental design with five repetitions was used, giving 35 experimental units. Temporary sampling plots were established for taking information regarding 832 trees from 66 botanical species. Allometric models were used for estimating above-ground biomass using field data/measurements (diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height (TH). A general tropical forest model was used for estimating below-ground biomass. All the land-use systems being studied had the essential ecosystem service of carbon capture/CO2 sequestration where GF and B had the highest carbon storage; on the contrary, SAF + plantain stored the lowest amount of carbon. Changing from production to forestry systems (GF and B) implies increased carbon capture (additionality), whereas the opposite (i.e. deforestation) represents CO2 emission. Such results represent a key input for policy design and carbon capture projects.

Keywords : Biomass; climate change; allometric equation; emission; mitigation; ecosystem service; agroforestry system.

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