Forest biodiversity in Andean brow and its relation to the carbon content in the above-ground biomass

Andean brow forests, particularly those within the buffer zone of Sangay National Park in Ecuador, serve as significant carbon sinks, with above-ground biomass carbon content ranging from 30.56 to 182.24 tons per hectare. These variations are closely linked to biodiversity indices, such as Shannon and Simpson, which reflect species richness and evenness. The study identified Melastomataceae, especially the Miconia genus, as a dominant family, comprising nearly 31% of the 518 individuals sampled across 19 species, 18 genera, and 17 families. This finding underscores the potential of these forests to mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration while highlighting their vulnerability. The research employed 12 permanent sampling plots to assess biodiversity and carbon content, providing critical insights for conservation strategies that balance ecosystem services with environmental protection.

Rodríguez Llerena, M. V., Armando Carrión, D. D., Santillán Lima, P. G., Recalde Moreno, C. G., & Cargua Catagña, F. E. (2016). Forest biodiversity in Andean brow and its relation to the carbon content in the above-ground biomass. Acta Agronómica, 66(1). https://doi.org/10.15446/acag.v66n1.52744