Incidencia de la mesofauna en el almacenamiento de carbono orgánico total en el acus bosque Domono, parroquia General Proaño.

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities significantly decrease the carbon storage capacity of the soil, contributing to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These changes affect soil quality and the diversity of organisms such as mesofauna, producing a decrease in the decomposition of organic matter. Therefore, the aim of the research was to determine the incidence of mesofauna on total organic carbon storage in the soil of the Domono Conservation and Sustainable Use Area (ACUS) forest. The methodology employed was carried out with a mixed approach using quantitative analyses for the taxonomic identification of the mesofauna and qualitative analyses to identify the numerical relationship between mesofauna and carbon using Pearson's correlation coefficient, denoting a correlational level of research since the variables were manipulated among themselves. In addition, a non-experimental design was used because there was no direct manipulation of the variables, so five study zones were carried out with four sampling points in each zone for the formation of a composite sample for subsequent analysis in the laboratory. The results of the physical characterization showed that the soil presents optimal conditions for the development of vegetation and organisms. As for the mesofauna, a total of 360 individuals were identified, presenting a greater diversity of mesofauna and a higher percentage of organic carbon in zone 1, while zone 2 presents a low diversity index with a lower percentage of carbon. In this context, it is concluded that there is a positive relationship between the amount of carbon and the presence of mesofauna presenting a strong linear correlation coefficient between the variables, highlighting the importance of ecosystem conservation.