CICYTTP   12500
CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION CIENTIFICA Y DE TRANSFERENCIA TECNOLOGICA A LA PRODUCCION
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Realistic soil C sink estimation in dry forests of western Argentina based on humic substance content
Autor/es:
ABRIL A; MERLO C; NOE L
Revista:
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
Editorial:
ACADEMIC PRESS LTD-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Referencias:
Año: 2013 vol. 91 p. 113 - 118
ISSN:
0140-1963
Resumen:
Due to high temporal variation of soil organic matter in arid regions, estimates of annual sequestered C might be overestimate. We assessed the soil stable organic matter (humic substances) in the transitional area between Dry Chaco and Monte eco-regions in western Argentina, as an approach to estimate realistic soil C sink. Soil samples were taken during wet and dry seasons in four sites along precipitation gradient. In each site three soil cover situations (under tree, under shrubs and on bare soils) were sampled (n=5) and the quantity and type of residues (tree and shrub leaves, woody material, grasses and forbs) were recorded. Soil organic matter and humic substances (humic and fulvic acids) content were analyzed and non-humic substances were calculated by the differences between organic matter and humic substances. Soil humic substance proportion respect to SOM was low (20%) in all sites and it did not correspond with the precipitation gradient. Non-humic substances were lower in wet season indicating high C lability. The most important factors that affected soil humic substance content were the type and quantity of organic residues and soil cover type. Our results suggest that previous C sink estimationsin Argentina dry forest probably are overestimated.