Biodiversity in avocado forests of Chile: parks and CO2

Welcome spring! The generous rainfall we had in winter bodes well for harvests and abundant wildlife throughout the Persea americana Mill forests, with the presence of Caupolicana gayi , a native and endemic bee of Chile, being particularly noteworthy in some areas.

These rains also provided evidence of the consolidation of avocado trees on hillsides, where we can observe that there were no soil displacements, even on steep slopes, which helps to prevent these soils from suffering erosion.

Continuing with the themes of these columns on international days, on this occasion we will mention two.

Avocado forests and protected wilderness areas

August 24th was International National Parks Day, and you might wonder: What is the connection to avocado groves? One example is the La Campana World Biosphere Reserve and National Park, which has hundreds of hectares of avocado trees in its area of influence, especially in the Hijuelas and Llay Llay districts. This creates a "symbiosis" (from the Greek syn and biosis , literally "living together") as the fauna and avifauna interact between the protected wilderness area and the avocado trees. This is evident in the presence of Lycalopex culpaeus (culpeo fox) and Geranoaetus melanoleucus (Chilean eagle or black-chested buzzard-eagle), to mention—among others—two species easily recognizable at a glance.

On the other hand, several Hass avocado producers have conservation areas at different scales, which complements the areas protected by the Chilean government in its various categories. Consequently, the "symbiosis" goes beyond formal boundaries, representing a contribution from the members of Paltas de Chile AG who have these initiatives, adding hectares of biodiversity value to our country.

Carbon capture in avocado forests

September 16th was the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, and once again the question will be asked: What is the relationship with avocado trees?

To date, there are several studies on the potential capture of carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) in avocado forests, such as: “Allometric equations and carbon sequestration potential of mango ( Mangifera indica) and avocado ( Persea americana Mill ) in Kenya” (*) which provides us with data that in Chile we are analyzing with CAZALAC to develop methodological processes that allow us to project that “capture” based on geoclimatological parameters and others specific to the ecosystems where avocado production is located in Chile.

To date, there is already some positive data provided by the network of atmospheric CO₂ sensors installed on various properties, which will allow us to advance in the study with another element that avocado trees contribute.

(*) https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2024TFP....1500467K/abstract

Elir Rojas Calderón
Bachelor of Geography / Geographer+Hydrologist+CO2
elir.rojas@gmail.com