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Carlos Quiroz Dahik
Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

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Research article
Published: 09 February 2021 in Carbon Balance and Management
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Background Since the 1990’s, afforestation programs in the páramo have been implemented to offset carbon emissions through carbon sequestration, mainly using pine plantations. However, several studies have indicated that after the establishment of pine plantations in grasslands, there is an alteration of carbon pools including a decrease of the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the establishment of pine plantations on the carbon stocks in different altitudes of the páramo ecosystem of South Ecuador. Results At seven locations within an elevational gradient from 2780 to 3760 m a.s.l., we measured and compared carbon stocks of three types of land use: natural grassland, grazed páramo, and Pinus patula Schlltdl. & Cham. plantation sites. For a more accurate estimation of pine tree carbon, we developed our own allometric equations. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences between the amounts of carbon stored in the carbon pools aboveground and belowground for the three types of land use. In most of the locations, pine plantations revealed the highest amounts of aboveground and belowground carbon (55.4 and 6.9 tC/ha) followed by natural grassland (23.1 and 2.7 tC/ha) and grazed páramo sites (9.1 and 1.5 tC/ha). Concerning the SOC pools, most of the locations revealed significant lower values of plantations’ SOC in comparison to natural grassland and grazed páramo sites. Higher elevation was associated with lower amounts of pines’ biomass. Conclusions Even though plantations store high amounts of carbon, natural páramo grassland can also store substantial amounts above and belowground, without negatively affecting the soils and putting other páramo ecosystem services at risk. Consequently, plans for afforestation in the páramo should be assessed case by case, considering not only the limiting factor of elevation, but also the site quality especially affected by the type of previous land use.

ACS Style

Carlos Quiroz Dahik; Patricio Crespo; Bernd Stimm; Reinhard Mosandl; Jorge Cueva; Patrick Hildebrandt; Michael Weber. Impacts of pine plantations on carbon stocks of páramo sites in southern Ecuador. Carbon Balance and Management 2021, 16, 1 -15.

AMA Style

Carlos Quiroz Dahik, Patricio Crespo, Bernd Stimm, Reinhard Mosandl, Jorge Cueva, Patrick Hildebrandt, Michael Weber. Impacts of pine plantations on carbon stocks of páramo sites in southern Ecuador. Carbon Balance and Management. 2021; 16 (1):1-15.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carlos Quiroz Dahik; Patricio Crespo; Bernd Stimm; Reinhard Mosandl; Jorge Cueva; Patrick Hildebrandt; Michael Weber. 2021. "Impacts of pine plantations on carbon stocks of páramo sites in southern Ecuador." Carbon Balance and Management 16, no. 1: 1-15.

Journal article
Published: 29 August 2019 in Forests
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During the 1980s, reforestation programs using exotic species (Pinus spp.) were established in the páramo ecosystem of Ecuador. The aims of this study were: (1) to compare the natural regeneration between pine plantations (Pi) and natural grassland (NG) across an elevational gradient and (2) to identify the attributes of Pi and soil properties that were influencing herbaceous and woody plant composition and their plant cover. In total, six independent Pinus patula (Schltdl. & Cham. plantations (two per each elevation) were selected and distributed in an elevational range (3200–3400, 3400–3600, 3600–3800 m a.s.l.). Adjacent to Pi, plots in NG were established for recording natural regeneration. Both, namely the attributes and the soil samples, were measured in Pi. The results showed that natural regeneration differs significantly between both types of vegetation. As expected, NG holds more plant diversity than Pi; the elevational range showed a clear tendency that there was more herbaceous richness when elevation range increases, while the opposite was found for woody species. Moreover, attributes of Pi influenced herbaceous and woody vegetation, when saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) in the soil, basal area (BA) and canopy density (CD) increased, herbaceous species richness and its cover decreseased; and when Ksat and the acidity in the soil increased, woody plants richness and its cover decreased. The plantations have facilitated the establishment of shade tolerant species. More studies are needed to evaluate if removal with adequate management of pine plantations can improve the restoration and conservation of the native vegetation of the páramo ecosystem.

ACS Style

Carlos Quiroz Dahik; Franklin Marín; Ruth Arias; Patricio Crespo; Michael Weber; Ximena Palomeque. Comparison of Natural Regeneration in Natural Grassland and Pine Plantations across an Elevational Gradient in the Páramo Ecosystem of Southern Ecuador. Forests 2019, 10, 745 .

AMA Style

Carlos Quiroz Dahik, Franklin Marín, Ruth Arias, Patricio Crespo, Michael Weber, Ximena Palomeque. Comparison of Natural Regeneration in Natural Grassland and Pine Plantations across an Elevational Gradient in the Páramo Ecosystem of Southern Ecuador. Forests. 2019; 10 (9):745.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carlos Quiroz Dahik; Franklin Marín; Ruth Arias; Patricio Crespo; Michael Weber; Ximena Palomeque. 2019. "Comparison of Natural Regeneration in Natural Grassland and Pine Plantations across an Elevational Gradient in the Páramo Ecosystem of Southern Ecuador." Forests 10, no. 9: 745.

Journal article
Published: 05 January 2019 in Forests
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The dry forest of southern Ecuador and northern Perú (called the Tumbesian region) is known for its high diversity, endemism, and healthy conservation state. Nevertheless, the forest is exposed to many threats linked with human activities. To understand the effects of these threats, which have not been appropriately assessed, we pose two questions: (a) What are the diversity and structural situations of the forest? (b) Are anthropogenic activities affecting the composition and structure of the forest? The assessed factors were species richness, diversity, species similarity, abundance, and density. Forest information was obtained from 72 plots (total area 25.92 ha) randomly placed to cover a wide range of stand densities (from 200 to 1100 m a.s.l.). After constructing linear mixed models and selecting the most influential one, we determined the individual influences of 12 predictors. The human pressure index (HPI) was the most negative predictor of forest health, and annual precipitation was the most important abiotic predictor of good health conditions. Livestock grazing did not significantly change the diversity and structure of mature forest. The mean annual temperature and stoniness influenced only the basal area and number of individuals, respectively. The species composition in our study area was not affected by the HPI, but was strongly predicted by annual precipitation.

ACS Style

Jorge Cueva Ortiz; Carlos Iván Espinosa; Carlos Quiroz Dahik; Zhofre Aguirre Mendoza; Eduardo Cueva Ortiz; Elizabeth Gusmán; Michael Weber; Patrick Hildebrandt. Influence of Anthropogenic Factors on the Diversity and Structure of a Dry Forest in the Central Part of the Tumbesian Region (Ecuador–Perú). Forests 2019, 10, 31 .

AMA Style

Jorge Cueva Ortiz, Carlos Iván Espinosa, Carlos Quiroz Dahik, Zhofre Aguirre Mendoza, Eduardo Cueva Ortiz, Elizabeth Gusmán, Michael Weber, Patrick Hildebrandt. Influence of Anthropogenic Factors on the Diversity and Structure of a Dry Forest in the Central Part of the Tumbesian Region (Ecuador–Perú). Forests. 2019; 10 (1):31.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jorge Cueva Ortiz; Carlos Iván Espinosa; Carlos Quiroz Dahik; Zhofre Aguirre Mendoza; Eduardo Cueva Ortiz; Elizabeth Gusmán; Michael Weber; Patrick Hildebrandt. 2019. "Influence of Anthropogenic Factors on the Diversity and Structure of a Dry Forest in the Central Part of the Tumbesian Region (Ecuador–Perú)." Forests 10, no. 1: 31.

Journal article
Published: 29 December 2018 in Forests
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Andean ecosystems provide important ecosystem services including streamflow regulation and carbon sequestration, services that are controlled by the water retention properties of the soils. Even though these soils have been historically altered by pine afforestation and grazing, little research has been dedicated to the assessment of such impacts at local or regional scales. To partially fill this knowledge gap, we present an evaluation of the impacts of pine plantations and grazing on the soil hydro-physical properties and soil organic matter (SOM) of high montane forests and páramo in southern Ecuador, at elevations varying between 2705 and 3766 m a.s.l. In total, seven study sites were selected and each one was parceled into undisturbed and altered plots with pine plantation and grazing. Soil properties were characterized at two depths, 0–10 and 10–25 cm, and differences in soil parameters between undisturbed and disturbed plots were analyzed versus factors such as ecosystem type, sampling depth, soil type, elevation, and past/present land management. The main soil properties affected by land use change are the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), the water retention capacity (pF 0 to 2.52), and SOM. The impacts of pine afforestation are dependent on sampling depth, ecosystem type, plantation characteristics, and previous land use, while the impacts of grazing are primarily dependent on sampling depth and land use management (grazing intensity and tilling activities). The site-specific nature of the found relations suggests that extension of findings in response to changes in land use in montane Andean ecosystems is risky; therefore, future evaluations of the impact of land use change on soil parameters should take into consideration that responses are or can be site specific.

ACS Style

Franklin Marín; Carlos Quiroz Dahik; Giovanny M. Mosquera; Jan Feyen; Pedro Cisneros; Patricio Crespo. Changes in Soil Hydro-Physical Properties and SOM Due to Pine Afforestation and Grazing in Andean Environments Cannot Be Generalized. Forests 2018, 10, 17 .

AMA Style

Franklin Marín, Carlos Quiroz Dahik, Giovanny M. Mosquera, Jan Feyen, Pedro Cisneros, Patricio Crespo. Changes in Soil Hydro-Physical Properties and SOM Due to Pine Afforestation and Grazing in Andean Environments Cannot Be Generalized. Forests. 2018; 10 (1):17.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Franklin Marín; Carlos Quiroz Dahik; Giovanny M. Mosquera; Jan Feyen; Pedro Cisneros; Patricio Crespo. 2018. "Changes in Soil Hydro-Physical Properties and SOM Due to Pine Afforestation and Grazing in Andean Environments Cannot Be Generalized." Forests 10, no. 1: 17.

Journal article
Published: 23 May 2018 in Sustainability
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The páramo, a collection of Neotropical alpine ecosystems, plays a prominent role in ecosystem services (ESs), providing water supply and regulation, conservation of biodiversity, and carbon storage in soil. The establishment of pine plantations for carbon sequestration and wood production has recently raised questions concerning the possible impact on the páramo’s ES. This study identifies the main stakeholders in this field and compares and contrasts their perceptions of the impact of pine plantations on the páramo’s ES, because the disparity among stakeholders’ perceptions must be addressed to achieve sustainable management. The data were gathered using 56 semi-structured interviews and were qualitatively analyzed. The results show that the main stakeholder groups (landowners, local government officials, foresters, and nature conservationists) acknowledge the important ES of the plantations. The perception of plantation impact varies among and within stakeholder groups, however, on specific functions, such as water provision, carbon storage, erosion prevention, and habitat function for wildlife and natural vegetation. Consideration and integration of these perceptions can help policy makers and organizations develop sustainable policies for the future management of the páramo ecosystem.

ACS Style

Carlos Quiroz Dahik; Patricio Crespo; Bernd Stimm; Felipe Murtinho; Michael Weber; Patrick Hildebrandt. Contrasting Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Pine Plantations in the Páramo Ecosystem of Ecuador. Sustainability 2018, 10, 1707 .

AMA Style

Carlos Quiroz Dahik, Patricio Crespo, Bernd Stimm, Felipe Murtinho, Michael Weber, Patrick Hildebrandt. Contrasting Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Pine Plantations in the Páramo Ecosystem of Ecuador. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (6):1707.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carlos Quiroz Dahik; Patricio Crespo; Bernd Stimm; Felipe Murtinho; Michael Weber; Patrick Hildebrandt. 2018. "Contrasting Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Pine Plantations in the Páramo Ecosystem of Ecuador." Sustainability 10, no. 6: 1707.