Biomasa aérea en estados sucesionales del bosque seco tropical en el norte del Tolima, Colombia

Abstract

The loss of coverage and degradation of dry forests is a common factor in Colombia, posing serious threats to biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide, such as carbon sequestration. Knowing how the aerial biomass varies under succession states is key to ensure its conservation. In this study, 12 permanent monitoring plots of 0.1 ha were established in the municipalities of Honda, Armero-Guayabal and Falán according to four stages of succession (Late, intermediate, early and degraded) with three replications each; the composition, structure and the contribution of aboveground biomass was determined. There were 1903 individuals distributed in 124 species, the greatest diversity was presented in the late and intermediate plot. The highest values of aerial biomass were recorded in the intermediate successional state, being Anacardium. excelsum (31.28 t.ha-1), the species with the highest contribution, in the late A. excelsum (16.80 t.ha-1), and Astronium graveolens (9.80 t.ha-1), followed by the early with Spondias mombin (4.28 t.ha-1) and the gradient with Pseudosamanea guachapele (3.21 t.ha-1). The study contributes to quantify with better precision the provision of ecosystem services such as the existence of aerial biomass in one of the most threatened ecosystems, facilitating the realization of monitoring, restoration and monitoring plans with an emphasis on their conservation.