Reforestation
is an important mean to protect soils, to restore habitat for plants and
animals, to regulate the hydrological cycle, to recharge aquifers, to produce
oxygen and to sequester carbon dioxide. Global warming concerns are prompting reforestation
practices and studies dealing with biomass production and carbon sequestration
by exotic and native species. This research presents information on biomass and
carbon sequestration projections in reforested sites of northern Mexico.
A total of 124 sampling plots were sampled for dasometric features and biomass
components in the Mexican states of Durango, Coahuila,
and Nuevo Leon of the
Eastern and Western mountain ranges of northern Mexico. Results showed the
potential carbon sequestration and biomass projections by component for each of
three main regions separated by multivariate statistics and productivity
curves. Mean annual carbon sequestration rates approach 3.90, 0.90, and 0.45 Mg ha-1
y-1 for reforested sites of the States of Durango, Nuevo Leon, and
Coahuila, respectively. Native species of coniferous forests of Durango (P. durangensis, P. cooperii, and P. engelmannii)
and Nuevo Leon (P.
pseudostrobus) sequester carbon at higher rates than the introduced pine
species of Durango (P. arizonica), Nuevo Leon
(P. cembroides, P. pinceana, and P. nelsoni), and Coahuila (P. halepensis). Stands reforested are sequestered carbon at a higher
rate than stands of native coniferous forests because of the largest plant
density of the former sites, therefore they provide additional environmental
benefits.
Author: J. NĂ¡var1, and F.J. Rodriguez ( josedejesusnavar at yahoo dot com dot mx)
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