Respiración edáfica en la zona sur oriental de la subcuenca del rio Chambo

Abstract

This research was carried out in the southeastern zone of the Chambo river. The objective of this study was to evaluate the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled by soils because of edaphic respiration (RE), depending on the lithology, altitude, and the intervention condition. The results indicate that the soils intervened with pines present lower (RE) rates than those of the non-intervened soils, and these are also lower than the soils intervened with pastures because the pines affect the bacterial population and the stock of organic matter, on the other hand, the work of tillage and distribution of pastures accelerate the decomposition of organic matter; felsic lithology soils reveal higher ER rates. The samples come from 72 plots, classified in 6 altitudinal ranges, 7 lithologies and 3 intervention conditions (Pines, pastures and not intervened); the quantification is carried out using the indirect method of titration by neutralization soils of mafic lithologies, which could have its explanation in its chemical composition. Soils located at altitudes between 3400-4000 masl, deliver high ER rates, because up to this altitudinal range there is human intervention, beyond this range, there is no human intervention and ER decreases. These results lead us to conclude that altitude, lithology, and intervention produce significant changes in ER. Within the three types of intervention, pasture is those that contribute the best proportion to the greenhouse effect, while pine plantations produce at a lower level, however, given the possible reduction in soil organic matter, these would be degrading the edaphic system, so not intervening is the most ideal condition.