Soil carbon reservoirs at high grassland ecosystems in the Andean plateau of Apolobamba (Bolivia)

摘要

High grassland ecosystems are presented in the National Apolobamba Integrated Management Area (ANMIN-A) of Bolivia. This area is the natural habitat of camelid populations, such as vicuna (Vicugna vicugna), which is recognized as an endangered species. On the other hand, there is no much information related to soil carbon reservoirs in these ecosystems. The objectives of this study were to: (i) provide information about C stocks in high grasslands in the Andean plateau and (ii) determine the quantityand quality of these C reservoirs. These goals were achieved through the analyses of physico-chemical soil properties using different techniques like ~(13)C CP/ MAS- NMR spectroscopy. Results showed that Wakampata and Puyo-Puyo zones could be excellentcarbon reservoirs. Taking into account the total organic matter, there seems to be a good relation between the quality and the quantity of soil organic matter (SOM). Overall NMR spectra pointed out that the degradation of SOM is higher in the Ucha-Ucha,Ulla-Ulla and Caballchinuni than the other studied areas. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out some soil protection actions in these studied zones in order to improve the sustainable vicuna management and preserve high grassland biodiversity in Apolobamba.