Carbon Stock Assessment in Silvopastoral Systems along an Elevational Gradient: A Study from Cattle Producers in the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve, Ecuadorian Amazon

Silvopastoral system (SPS) has been considered as a sustainable management contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, among other benefits compared with open pasture. However, little research conducted on the soil and tree biomass carbon stored in traditional pasture dispersed trees (PWT) monoculture (PM). The present study was Ecuadorian Amazon Region (EAR), along an elevational gradient from 400 2000 masl., within buffer transition zone of Sumaco Biosphere Reserve (SBR), using 71 temporary circular plots 2826 m2, where 26 were stablished PWT 45 PM. main results show significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) between aboveground (AGCtrees) 41.1 (lowlands), 26.5 (Middle hills) 16.7 (high mountains) Mg ha−1 respectively, average 31.0 whole area. total pool altitudinal five components: (AGCtrees), belowground (BGCtrees), (AGClitter+pasture) components (0–10 10–30 cm) for ranged 112.80 (lowlands) 91.34 ha−1; while PM systems assessing three 52.5 77.8 (middle zone) ha−1. Finally, paper shows dominant species that storage concludes recommendations decision-making aimed at improving cattle ranching through silvopastoral approach mitigate effects climate change.