Abstract
The Andes region, a unique high-mountain environment, includes a wide variety of ecosystems. A significant portion of the population depends on soil ecosystem services that are highly influenced by local soil quality. Soil quality is frequently evaluated through soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration (main component of soil organic matter, SOM). However, SOM and SOC are poorly studied in the South American Andes. By reviewing the available literature with focus on SOC, we identified gaps in data and information needed to study soil functioning as a key factor for carbon sequestration along food production and food and water security. Despite reduced data availability and large reported variability in SOC concentration, we found consensus about large SOC accumulation in peatlands with outstanding potential as a carbon sink but also as a carbon source. In addition, important reservoirs in forests and grasslands were reported. In undisturbed lands, SOC is largely conserved by the region’s low prevailing temperatures due to high elevations. However, the SOC stocks are potentially endangered by global warming. Results suggest that local soil management (fallow, crop rotation, terraces) might have positive impacts on SOC concentration, however, limited data and studies were available to be conclusive and some contradictory results are reported. As expected, soil bulk density is strongly and negatively correlated with SOC while the high negative correlation with pH demonstrates large SOC concentration in acidic soils. Total nitrogen shows poor relation with SOC in Andosols but is highly correlated with Cambisols, Regosols, and Phaeozems with a variation under land cover and use. Our results demonstrate that it is of paramount importance to develop more research on Andean soils to support the conservation and management of this valuable resource, to guide land managers/decision-makers for the integrated planning of Andean ecosystems and to explore their potential functions as C sink, which was practically not found in our inventory.
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Alavi-Murillo, G., Diels, J., Gilles, J. et al. Soil organic carbon in Andean high-mountain ecosystems: importance, challenges, and opportunities for carbon sequestration. Reg Environ Change 22, 128 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-022-01980-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-022-01980-6