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Mature Andean forests as globally important carbon sinks and future carbon refuges.

Authors :
Duque, Alvaro
Peña, Miguel A.
Cuesta, Francisco
González-Caro, Sebastián
Kennedy, Peter
Phillips, Oliver L.
Calderón-Loor, Marco
Blundo, Cecilia
Carilla, Julieta
Cayola, Leslie
Farfán-Ríos, William
Fuentes, Alfredo
Grau, Ricardo
Homeier, Jürgen
Loza-Rivera, María I.
Malhi, Yadvinder
Malizia, Agustina
Malizia, Lucio
Martínez-Villa, Johanna A.
Myers, Jonathan A.
Source :
Nature Communications; 4/9/2021, Vol. 12 Issue 1, p1-10, 10p
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

It is largely unknown how South America's Andean forests affect the global carbon cycle, and thus regulate climate change. Here, we measure aboveground carbon dynamics over the past two decades in 119 monitoring plots spanning a range of >3000 m elevation across the subtropical and tropical Andes. Our results show that Andean forests act as strong sinks for aboveground carbon (0.67 ± 0.08 Mg C ha<superscript>−1</superscript> y<superscript>−1</superscript>) and have a high potential to serve as future carbon refuges. Aboveground carbon dynamics of Andean forests are driven by abiotic and biotic factors, such as climate and size-dependent mortality of trees. The increasing aboveground carbon stocks offset the estimated C emissions due to deforestation between 2003 and 2014, resulting in a net total uptake of 0.027 Pg C y<superscript>−1</superscript>. Reducing deforestation will increase Andean aboveground carbon stocks, facilitate upward species migrations, and allow for recovery of biomass losses due to climate change. Here, the authors investigate the aboveground carbon sink efficiency of Andean forests. The study shows the high potential of these forests to serve as future carbon refuges, and urges to reduce deforestation and increase restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20411723
Volume :
12
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Nature Communications
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
149732499
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22459-8