CONCENTRATION OF CARBON IN Pinus cembroides Zucc: MITIGATION POTENTIAL SOURCE OF GLOBAL WARMING

Pinus cembroides Zucc forests has usually been segregated from commercial logging given their woody disadvantages. However, this species plays an important role in the biodiversity of Mexico. The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration of carbon (C) in the main compartments of P. cembroides: root, bark, stem, branches, buds and leaves. The total C concentration expressed as percentage of biomass was determined with the Solids TOC Analyzer equipment. The results were analyzed in a completely randomized design and Tukey's comparison of means. The analysis of variance evidenced that C concentration varied among components (P < 0.05); the bud had the highest value (57.1 %), while stem and branches recorded the lowest values (47.7 and 47.8 %, respectively). Our results contribute to improving C estimates for this species and provide important information to determine whether P. cembroides forests can be considered as a possible source with mitigation potential against climate change and thus use it in a C sequestration program.