Valoración económica del carbono capturado en el suelo de los bofedales de la Reserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo.

Abstract

This process consisted on the biophysical and anthropic characterization of the wetlands, the quantification of the organic carbon in the soil and the economic valuation of the organic carbon. The data indicate that 75% of the wetlands correspond to a hydromorphic regime. The diversity of flora and birds is medium, and the diversity of mammals and amphibians is low. The threat level on this ecosystem is medium and is driven mainly by the deterioration of water sources and loss of vegetation cover. However, the soil of the wetland accumulates high levels of organic matter (7.27%/kg), which represents 97,324 t of organic carbon in an extension of 519 ha which according to the economic analysis would imply a Net Present Value of $323 217 and an Internal Rate of Return of 128%. In addition, it was determined that while the threat level (TL) increases the economic valuation (EV) of the organic carbon decrease, because, TL vs. EV = -0.62, according to the Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Therefore, these values make possible the implementation of a payment model for ecosystem services through the commercialization of carbon credits.