Floristic Structure and Carbon Stored in the Biomass of Three Strategic Ecosystems of the Colombian Pacific

Despite the wide diversity suggested for the Colombian Pacific, to date little has been documented about its flooded forests, which have not allowed management strategies to be undertaken according to the characteristics of the sites. In order to contribute to the knowledge of these ecosystems, the floristic structure was characterized and the carbon stored in the total biomass of three flooded forests (Mangrove, Sajal and Guandal) was estimated. Ten plots of 0.1 ha were established. Individuals with diameter (D1.30) > 5 cm and height in meters were measured. Aerial biomass was calculated using allometric equations developed for this type of ecosystem. The Importance Value Index was determined. A Principal Component Analysis was performed to compare the composition and structure of the three ecosystems. Data on number of individuals, basal area, biomass and carbon were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric analysis of variance. A total of 1678 individuals were recorded, grouped into 92 species and 38 botanical families. On average, 29.5 MgC ha-1 were found stored in total biomass (below and above ground), distributed in Mangrove 37.7 MgC ha-1, Sajal 28.3 MgC ha-1 and Guandal 22.4 MgC ha-1. Mangrove presents a greater number of individuals than Guandal and Sajal. Two groups were found: the first dominated by one species and the second with more than three dominant species.