Arboreal biomass and economic carbon valuation of the Cerro Tres Puntas of Pilasca (Salas-Motupe, Lambayeque, Peru)

Abstract

The work was developed in the Cerro Tres Puntas de Pilasca, in the district of Salas-Motupe, Lambayeque region, Perú. The objective of the study was to determine its tree biomass, accumulated carbon and economic valuation. For this purpose, four linear transects were established covering 11.4 ha of the total 2,975 ha of the study area. In each transect were evaluated the height and diameter (1.30 cm above the ground) ≥ 5.0 cm of all tree individuals. Also, botanical collections were made for their identification. 410 individuals were registered, comprised of 17 species, 17 genera and 10 families. The estimated biomass in the four transects gave an average of 796.62 t ha-1, which transformed into tons of carbon gave 1 460.6 t CO2 ha-1, meaning an economic valuation of 28 963.70 USD per ha. The families that contribute more biomass to the Cerro Tres Puntas de Pilasca were Moraceae and Lauraceae, with 8 457.95 t ha-1 and 5 738.79 t ha-1 respectively, while in the rest of the families the biomass was less than 1 000 t ha-1. Cerro Tres Puntas de Pilasca proved to be an important forest with high biomass values for the region of Lambayeque.

Keywords

• biomasa aérea
• bosque tropical estacionalmente seco
• captura de carbono
• carbono orgánico
• especies nativas.