Publicação
Carbon stock assessment in two Mediterranean forest habitats in Montesinho Natural Park
| Resumo: | This study quantifies carbon stocks in two Mediterranean oak forest habitats—Quercus pyrenaica (habitat 9230) and Quercus rotundifolia (habitat 9340)—within Montesinho Natural Park in northeastern Portugal. Carbon was assessed across major ecosystem compartments: above-ground biomass (tree, shrub, and herbaceous layers), below-ground biomass, litter, and soil organic carbon (SOC). Field-based measurements and species-specific allometric equations were used to estimate biomass, while laboratory analyses determined dry mass and SOC content. Results revealed significantly higher carbon values in Q. pyrenaica across all compartments. Above-ground biomass (AGB) reached 104.80 Mg ha⁻¹ in Q. pyrenaica, compared to 32.39 Mg ha⁻¹ in Q. rotundifolia. Below-ground biomass (BGB) followed a similar trend, with 31.44 Mg ha⁻¹ and 9.72 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC, 0–30 cm) was also higher in Q. pyrenaica (128.56 Mg ha⁻¹) than in Q. rotundifolia (82.28 Mg ha⁻¹). These differences resulted in total carbon stocks (TC) of 193.92 Mg C ha⁻¹ for Q. pyrenaica and 103.61 Mg C ha⁻¹ for Q. rotundifolia, highlighting the superior carbon sequestration potential of the former. Variations in understory composition and forest structure also contributed to differences in carbon distribution and accumulation. These findings underscore the importance of habitat-specific assessments in Mediterranean landscapes and support the inclusion of native oak forests in carbon offset strategies. The integration of biodiversity, structural complexity, and soil health further highlights their multifunctional value for climate mitigation and ecosystem resilience. |
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| Autores principais: | Podsclan, Caroline Barradas |
| Assunto: | Quercus pyrenaica Quercus rotundifolia Ecosystem services |
| Ano: | 2025 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade Politécnica de Bragança |
| Idioma: | português |
| Origem: | Biblioteca Digital da UPB |
| Resumo: | This study quantifies carbon stocks in two Mediterranean oak forest habitats—Quercus pyrenaica (habitat 9230) and Quercus rotundifolia (habitat 9340)—within Montesinho Natural Park in northeastern Portugal. Carbon was assessed across major ecosystem compartments: above-ground biomass (tree, shrub, and herbaceous layers), below-ground biomass, litter, and soil organic carbon (SOC). Field-based measurements and species-specific allometric equations were used to estimate biomass, while laboratory analyses determined dry mass and SOC content. Results revealed significantly higher carbon values in Q. pyrenaica across all compartments. Above-ground biomass (AGB) reached 104.80 Mg ha⁻¹ in Q. pyrenaica, compared to 32.39 Mg ha⁻¹ in Q. rotundifolia. Below-ground biomass (BGB) followed a similar trend, with 31.44 Mg ha⁻¹ and 9.72 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC, 0–30 cm) was also higher in Q. pyrenaica (128.56 Mg ha⁻¹) than in Q. rotundifolia (82.28 Mg ha⁻¹). These differences resulted in total carbon stocks (TC) of 193.92 Mg C ha⁻¹ for Q. pyrenaica and 103.61 Mg C ha⁻¹ for Q. rotundifolia, highlighting the superior carbon sequestration potential of the former. Variations in understory composition and forest structure also contributed to differences in carbon distribution and accumulation. These findings underscore the importance of habitat-specific assessments in Mediterranean landscapes and support the inclusion of native oak forests in carbon offset strategies. The integration of biodiversity, structural complexity, and soil health further highlights their multifunctional value for climate mitigation and ecosystem resilience. |
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