Özet:

Global warming can be mitigated by carbon sequestration through forestry and agroforestry. For countries with low industrial development, carbon sequestration also represents an opportunity to fund sustainable development. In the Canary Islands, CO2 emissions are above the average for Spain, in fact, they are estimated to be three times higher. Authorities have been working in recent years to reduce these emissions and increase carbon sequestration. Afforestation on the island of Tenerife has been  carried  out  mainly  using  an  endemic  pine species  (Pinus canariensis), the  dominant  species  of native pine forest stands. However, the exotic Pinus radiata has also been introduced in some areas. The success of exotic invasive species is often attributed to their capacity for fast growth, particularly when resources are not limited and can continue to increase. In this situation, exotic species are more competitive  compared  to  native  ones.  We  evaluated  the  capacity  to  absorb  CO2  of P.  radiata  vs. P. canariensis  under  similar  environmental  conditions  and  planted  during  the  same  period.  Through allometric  equations  for  above  ground  biomass,  we  estimated  the  amount  of  biomass  and  carbon content in individuals and extrapolated these results to the rest of the mass (in the the Corona Forestal Natural  Park  in  Tenerife).  Our  preliminary  results  revealed  that P.  radiata  and P.  canariensis sequester  different  amounts  of  carbon  under  similar  environmental  conditions.  The  carbon  capture strategy of a species is strongly associated with disturbance, with species from disturbed sites having traits that confer capacity for fast growth. We suggest that P. radiata has a higher carbon sequestration capability per individual than the native species P. canariensis. However, the much larger extensions and density of P. canariensis make this species the main carbon sink on the island.

Anahtar Kelimeler: