Estimation of biomass and carbon accumulation capacity of Peruvian Amazon rainforests under a climate change context

Aim of study: The study assesses the carbon potential of forests in the Peruvian Amazon, focusing on modeling carbon within a climate change mitigation framework to improve our understanding of the regional capacity to store in forest ecosystems. Area of study: San Martín Region, Peruvian Amazon. Material and methods: A total of six forest sites in the Amazonas region, located within San Martín and Loreto districts, were assessed. Structural measurements were recorded for all the trees and allometric equations were applied to estimate biomass. Additionally, altitude was recorded and its relationship with carbon storage was analyzed. Main results: The highest tree density was found in El Varillal and Ojo del Agua forests with 360 and 332 trees ha-1, respectively. Ahuihua and El Varillal forests showed the largest total height and diameter values. The accumulated carbon was greater in Ahuihua and Bajo Huallaga forests both the aboveground and belowground with values of 405.07 t ha-1 and 51.85 t ha-1, and 201.46 t ha-1 and 27.59 t ha-1, respectively. These forests also had the largest structural mean values of basal area, total height, dominant height, and diameter at breast height. The altitude variable was negatively related to aboveground and belowground carbon. Research highlights: The type of forest and the management practices play a crucial role for carbon accumulation both in the aboveground and belowground biomass. The basal area was the variable that most contributed on carbon accumulation. Understanding the carbon dynamic in forests provides essential information for the implementation of accurate management practices and conservation efforts.