Background:

Forest plantations with fast-growing native species contribute to capture and storage Carbon (C). However, little is known about the survival, potential of capture and storage of C in plantations with native species of mountain cloud forests (MCF) in Mexico.

Questions:

Is the survival different between individuals of Alnus acuminata and Trema micrantha sown in experimental plantations? Is the annual carbon capture rate and the total C content between these two species different?

Species of study:

A. acuminata and T. micrantha, species of rapid growth of the MCF.

Study site and years of study:

Central area of the state of Veracruz. 2009-2012.

Method:

A. acuminata and T. micrantha experimental plantations of three years an a half years old, survival, diameter and height were recorded. The volume, basal area, weight of aerial biomass, carbon content of trees and height, diameter and carbon growth rate were estimated.

Results:

The survival of A. acuminata plants was greater than T. micrantha (P < 0.05). The plantations of A. acuminata stored significantly more C (12.55 ± 0.05 Mg C ha-1) than the plantations of T. micrantha (11.62 ± 0.042 Mg C ha-1) (P < 0.001). The annual rate of carbon capture in A. acuminata was higher (2.6 ± 0.0001 Mg ha-1 yr-1) than T. micrantha (2.02 ± 0.00001 Mg ha-1 yr-1) (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Plantations with native species of early succession represent a complementary strategy in MCF restoration actions, as well as being carbon sinks that could contribute to mitigate climate change.