Browsing by Author "Minchalo Castillo, Javier Mateo"

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    Determinación del stock de carbono orgánico y distribución espacial en los suelos de los valles de la microcuenca "Cuevas" páramo altoandino de Cancán, Azuay, Ecuador
    (Universidad de Cuenca, 2025-02-10) Minchalo Castillo, Javier Mateo; Iñiguez Reyes, Mathias Sebastián; Ramírez Matamoros, Marco Tulio
    This study determined the organic carbon storage and spatial distribution in the soils of the "Cuevas" micro-catchment valleys in the southern Ecuadorian páramo. A total of 115 points were analyzed, combining 26 strategic sampling sites with 89 previous research data points. Laboratory analysis and geospatial tools using IDW interpolation estimated apparent density (AD) values, facilitating the calculation of Total Carbon Storage (TCS) in tonnes per hectare (t/ha). Results showed that cushion vegetation in valleys had higher TCS values, with a maximum of 1447.31 t/ha, compared to 429.90 t/ha in grassland soils. In soil horizons, the H horizon in cushion vegetation stored 64.20% more carbon than the A horizon, contributing 72.79% of the total soil carbon. Low AD values (<0.5 g/cm³) favored carbon accumulation by increasing porosity and water retention. The first 30 cm of soil stored the highest carbon content, emphasizing the role of cushion vegetation and páramo conditions—low temperatures and high moisture—in slowing organic matter decomposition. These findings highlight the importance of conserving páramos as carbon sinks for climate change mitigation.