Peatland carbon stocks and accumulation rates in the Ecuadorian páramo
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-2016
Department
College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
Abstract
The páramo is a high altitude tropical Andean ecosystem that contains peatlands with thick horizons of carbon (C) dense soils. Soil C data are sparse for most of the páramo, especially in peatlands, which limits our ability to provide accurate regional and country wide estimates of C storage. Therefore, the objective of our research was to quantify belowground C stocks and accumulation rates in páramo peatland soils in two regions of northeastern Ecuador. Peatland soil cores were collected from Antisana Ecological Reserve and Cayambe-Coca National Park. We measured soil C densities and 14C dates to estimate soil accumulation rates. The mean peatland soil depth across both regions was 3.8 m and contained an estimated mean C storage of 1282 Mg ha−1. Peatlands older than 3000 cal. year BP had a mean long-term C accumulation rate of 26 g m−2 year−1, with peatlands younger than 500 cal. year BP displaying mean recent rates of C accumulation of 134 g m−2 year−1. These peatlands also receive large inputs of mineral material, predominantly from volcanic deposition, that has created many interbedded non-peat mineral soil horizons that contained 48 % of the soil C. Because of large C stocks in Ecuadorian mountain peatlands and the potential disturbance from land use and climate change, additional studies are need to provide essential baseline assessments and estimates of C storage in the Andes.
Publication Title
Wetlands Ecology and Management
Recommended Citation
Hribljan, J. A.,
Suarez, E.,
Heckman, K. A.,
Lilleskov, E. A.,
&
Chimner, R.
(2016).
Peatland carbon stocks and accumulation rates in the Ecuadorian páramo.
Wetlands Ecology and Management,
24(2), 113-127.
http://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-016-9482-2
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/508
Publisher's Statement
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2016. Publisher’s version of record: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-016-9482-2