Organic carbon sequestration potential in alluvial agricultural terraces: A case study of a lama-bordo system in Oaxaca, Mexico

Soil is the primary C reservoir in terrestrial ecosystems and provides a variety of ecosystem services.Therefore, quantifying soil organic C (SOC) storage is essential for conservation technologies that ensure the sustainability of this non-renewable resource.In this context, the objective of this study was to estimate the SOC content within a pre-Hispanic agricultural terrace system, known locally as lama-bordo, in the Mixteca Alta region of Oaxaca, Mexico, using soil sampling, remote sensing, and geographic information systems.Based on the organic matter content, the SOC was determined in each soil sample from the surface layer (0-30 cm).The total SOC content in the lama-bordo system (LBS) was estimated using the average depth of each section and a highresolution digital elevation model.The results indicate that the LBS is capable of storing between 254.88 and 449.68 Mg ha -1 SOC, which can prevent the emission of C into the atmosphere through its conservation.These findings highlight the need for further research to generate more comprehensive knowledge of the functions of alluvial agricultural terraces.