Vachellia macracantha y su interacción con las reservas del carbono y nitrógeno en el suelo de un Matorral Seco interandino en el sur de Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract:Leguminous species are known as ecosystem engineers for being a key element in the structure and dynamics of the communities in dry ecosystems. However, it is unknown how V. macracantha contributes C and N in the soil of an inter-Andean dry scrub in southern Ecuador. Therefore, we focused on how V. macracantha contribution of C and N changes along an altitudinal gradient consisting of four study areas. Linear mixed model effects results did not show significant differences in the stress gradient between the presence / absence of V. macracantha except for area two, where, V. macracantha enhanced the availability of C and N. In addition, with a multiple regression model, the effect of the morphological characteristics (height and tree canopy area) of the species on C and N reserves was evaluated. The results show that canopy area correlated better with the stocks of C and N.