Determination of carbon sequestration rate in soil of a mangrove forest in Campeche, Mexico

摘要

It was determined carbon sequestration rate, total nitrogen content and several important physicochemical parameters (electrical conductivity, gravimetric moisture, salinity, pH and soil texture) in mangrove forest soil located within the natural protected area named "Terminos Lagoon" in Carmen Island, Campeche-Mexico. Six sampling zones were considered within a mangrove forest located in the Botanical Garden of the Autonomous University of Carmen City. Samplings were carried out from February to August during 2009 considering three climatic periods ("Norths" season, dry season and rainy season). The electrical conductivity was within the range of 1.38 to 26.2 dS m-1 and the highest values were found during the rainy season when the study sites were flooded most of the time. The seasonal influence on carbon storage was evident (from 1.2 to 22.2 kg C/m-2), with the highest rate of carbon sequestration in the dry season, in flooded soils with greater predominance of red mangrove, and is lower in those soils rarely flooded with a higher prevalence of buttonwood mangrove individuals. The organic matter content and organic carbon was greater at 30 cm depth for flooded areas, where long periods of flood tides and low rates of decomposition maintain anoxic conditions. Due to soils are sandy in the study areas and have high pH values with red mangrove associations, we can suggests that they have a high potential for carbon sequestration and it could be increased in future years.