Abstract

GARCIA-GARCIA, Samuel Alberto et al. Effect of altitudinal gradient and climate variables on carbon storage in a temperate forest of Chihuahua, Mexico. Madera bosques [online]. 2024, vol.30, n.3, e3032574.  Epub Apr 08, 2025. ISSN 2448-7597.  https://doi.org/10.21829/myb.2024.3032574.

Forests are carbon reservoirs that contribute to mitigating the effects of global warming; however, such storage can vary along an altitudinal gradient. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between the altitudinal gradient and the carbon content stored in standing vegetation and soil organic carbon in a temperate forest in the state of Chihuahua. Thirty-seven sites of 1000 m2 were randomly established, distributed in three altitudinal floors: 1: 2200 - 2600, 2: 2600 - 2801 and 3: 2801 - 3200 m a.s.l. In each one, the tree species were recorded, and the normal diameter ≥ 7.5 cm and the total height were measured; In addition, two 1 m2 plots were nested in each site where herbaceous plants and regeneration were collected. Soil samples were extracted at 0-25 and 25-50 cm depth. Tree carbon content was estimated using allometric equations and wood density; for regeneration and herbaceous plants, a carbon concentration of 0.5 was taken from dry samples; soil organic carbon was determined using the Walkley and Black method. The species with the highest accumulated carbon were Pseudotsuga menziesii (19.89 Mg ha-1), Quercus sideroxyla (11.61 Mg ha-1) and Abies durangensis (22.24 Mg ha-1) for floors 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The altitudinal floors had a similar composition and did not present significant differences in the total C content. Altitude and precipitation presented a positive correlation with carbon content.

Keywords : woodland; biomass; CO₂; altitudinal gradient; soil; regeneration.

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