ESTIMACIÓN DEL CONTENIDO Y CAPTURA POTENCIAL DE CARBONO EN LA BIOMASA ARBÓREA DE BOSQUES NATIVOS DEL ESPINAL (Entre Ríos, Argentina)

Native forests intervene in the global carbon cycle (C), given their role as CO2 sequestrators. The objective was to estimate the stock and the annual C capture rate in forests of the Espinal (Entre Rios). Six forests were evaluated, estimating aerial tree biomass, C stock and C capture rate using local allometric models and growth rates by species. The biomass content ranged between 52.13 and 111.82 t DM/ha, on average 92.68 + 23.13 t DM / ha. The C stock averaged 43.99 ± 10.43 t/ha, varying between 26.02 t/ha and 52.78 t/ha. It was observed a high heterogeneity between forests, according to their specific composition and diameter structure. The C capture rate ranged from 0.52 to 0.95 t C/ha/year, equivalent to a capture of between 1.94 and 3,49 t CO2/ha/year. This study generates relevant information for the design of native forest management strategies that contribute to mitigate the global climate change.