Variación del carbono, eficiencia energética y riqueza florística en agroecosistemas de la provincia del Azuay, parroquia Cutchil – Sígsig

Abstract

Carbon storage, species diversity and energy efficiency are of great importance in production systems whose form of management is the functional integration between species that promote sustainability, sovereignty and food security and in turn provide environmental services. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variation of carbon and floristic richness in agroforestry systems through allometric equations and diversity indices, energy efficiency was also estimated through estimates of energy inputs and outputs in agroforestry systems, short-cycle crops and pastures of the Cutchil parish, Sígsig. The research evaluated a sample of 115 production systems within the Cutchil parish. Three altitude ranges were established to estimate and compare carbon from aerial biomass and species diversity. The methodology was based on surveying plots of 400 m2 to evaluate agroforestry systems and the application of structured surveys. The results showed an average of 13.87 t C/ha. and low diversities in agroforestry systems, while energy efficiency showed averages of 9.43 MJ/ha. in agroforestry systems, 6.33 MJ/ha. in short cycle crops and 0.23 MJ/ha. in grassland systems. The productive systems were characterized by having an average size between 0.41ha and 3.21ha. The plant species with the highest frequency in SAFs and short-cycle crops were Malus domestica., Prunus persica., Phaseolus vulgaris. and Zea mays., while the pasture systems were composed of grasses and legumes.