Preliminary quantification of the role of Euphorbia balsamifera dominated scrubland in the carbon stock of Tenerife, Canary Islands

Abstract

The consideration of terrestrial ecosystems as carbon sinks is usually linked to forests and arboreal species. However, in the Canarian archipelago there are mature ecosystems dominated by native shrub species that could be acting as sinks and contributing to the Canarian carbon stock. Scrublands occupy around 25% of the archipelago land area, and specifically, sweet spurge scrub occupies 13% of the scrubland zones of Tenerife. Here we present preliminary data about the total amount of carbon stored in sweet spurge scrub or “tabaibal dulce” on the island of Tenerife. The carbon stored in this community was calculated from the estimation of its amount of biomass per unit area and plant cover. A total of 15 plots of 400 m2 were set up to achieve a representation of the community throughout the island. We measured all the individuals of a set of seven species that we considered major contributors to the scrubland biomass. Measurements included height, two diameters and basal stem diameters when possible. We built preliminary allometric equations using their volumetric data to estimate the dry biomass of individuals of Euphorbia balsamifera, E. canariensis, E. lamarckii, Kleinia neriifolia, Launaea arborescens, Plocama pendula, and Schizogyne sericea. Once the average of the carbon stored in the sweet spurge scrubland per unit area was calculated, it was extrapolated to the total area occupied by this plant community in Tenerife. The necessity of protection and conservation of the Canarian ecosystems with the aim of preserving the natural heritage is more than accepted. However, the ecosystem service of carbon sequestration done by native species, not only trees, but also shrubs, could be another reason for the conservation and restoration of natural and degraded areas, respectively, in the Canaries.