Evaluación de carbono aéreo, clorofila foliar, eficiencia energética y diversidad florística en sistemas agro biodiversos en la parroquia Principal- Chordeleg

Abstract

Climate alterations, overexploitation of forest systems have caused the loss of species richness, large carbon sinks (forests) and the expansion of agricultural technology have led to the need for more energy in agricultural production; it is important to know the agro-biodiverse systems in which agroforestry systems are included. The objective of this study was to evaluate aerial carbon, leaf chlorophyll, energy efficiency and floristic diversity. A sample of 185 productive systems (agroforestry, short-cycle crops, pasture) was evaluated, establishing three altitudinal levels (low, medium and high altitude). The methodology was based on plots of 800 m2 taken at random. The amount of carbon was estimated using allometric equations, the atLEAF equipment was used to measure the chlorophyll index in forests, energy efficiency was obtained by applying structured surveys in each system and floristic diversity was identified by means of alpha (Margalef, Simpson and Shannon-Wiener) and beta (Jaccard) diversity indices. The results generally indicated a non-normal behavior; the aerial carbon storage variable showed medians of 4.97 t C/ha (low zone) and 5.17 t C/ha (medium zone); the species Luma apiculata obtained the highest value in terms of leaf chlorophyll (80.1 atLeaf units); 61.62% of the evaluated systems declared to be energetically efficient and 38.38% inefficient. In floristic diversity, the alpha index shows medium diversity for Margalef and Shannon indices and high for Simpson's index, and for beta diversity a Jaccard similarity index of 45% is shown.