Cuantificación de la respiración edáfica como medida para la actividad microbiana en la zona de Panzarrumi del Parque Nacional de Llanganates

Abstract

The aim of this graduation work was to quantify the edaphic respiration as a measure for microbial activity in Panzarrumi, Laguna de Anteojos, located in Llanganates National Park. This was carried out by means of a non-experimental design exploratory methodology, based on a methodological approach and deductive inference through the geographic information system, where three ecosystems were determined (paramo grassland, flooded grassland and agricultural), from which nine composite samples were obtained and some parameters such as: edaphic respiration, microbial activity and physicochemical parameters (pH, organic matter, humidity percentage, electrical conductivity, nitrogen and standardized vegetation index) were determined. For each of these parameters, a back titration with hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, phenolphthalein and barium chloride was used for edaphic respiration as well as equipment such as the pH meter, conductivity meters, stoves, scales, etc. According to the results obtained, it was evidenced that a maximum value of 0.209 C-CO2 (mg/g) belonging to edaphic respiration was obtained in the floodable grassland, while the minimum value of edaphic respiration was found in the paramo soils with 0.0250 mg/g. The best correlation of the physicochemical parameter regarding edaphic respiration of grassland soils was moisture and electrical conductivity while for the short-cycle crop was moisture, electrical conductivity and pH. As a result of the relationship existing between EVI and edaphic respiration, it was evidenced that the highest value obtained was presented in a range of (0.334 to 0.388) with a value of 0.05 identifying different land uses. The maximum edaphic respiration values were present in flooded grassland soils, therefore there was not any statistically significant difference between soil respiration and the different land uses. It is recommended to establish more sampling points in order to obtain better results.