Open Access

ARTICLE

Carbon concentration in structures of Arctostaphylos pungens HBK: An alternative CO₂ sink in forests

Pompa-García M¹, E Jurado²
1 Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Dgo., México. Av. Papaloapan y Blvd. Durango. Durango, México. CP. 34120.
2 Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Nuevo León, N.L. México.
* Corresponding Authors: Address Correspondence to: Marín Pompa-García, e-mail: ; Enrique Jurado, e-mail:

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2015, 84(2), 385-389. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2015.84.385

Abstract

Arctostaphylos pungens HBK is a dominant species with increasing abundance and distribution in chaparral ecosystems as a result of range management and, possibly, changes in climate. The value of this species for carbon (C) sequestration is unknown, and the standard 50% C out of total tree biomass is used as an approximate value. In this study, we aim to determine the C concentration of the primary components of A. pungens. The total C expressed as a percentage of biomass was determined with a Solids TOC Analyzer. We found the C concentration to vary among components. Leaves exhibited the highest C concentration (51.70%). Roots (46.11%), stems (47.30%), fruits (47.89%) and twigs (48.40%) had similar C concentration. These results provided superior estimates of C concentration, and reliable information concerning the potential use of A. pungens in climate-change mitigation programs.

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Keywords

Carbon sequestration, Climate change, Manzanita.

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