Valuation of ecosystem services of guadua bamboo (Guadua angustifolia) forest in the southwestern of Pereira, Colombia

Agriculture and urban expansion have caused fragmentation of the remaining forests located along the Otún and Consotá river watershed in the municipality of Pereira, Department of Risaralda, Colombia. These forests are dominated by the guadua bamboo species Guadua angustifolia Kunth, which provided raw material for different purposes and additionally fulfills important ecological functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate ecosystems services associated with these forests such as carbon storage, soil water storing capacity, and the financial feasibility related to guadua culms commercialization. The carbon storage was estimated from the aboveground biomass and soil organic matter; soil water storing capacity was associated with physical soil properties. Whereas the provisioning ecosystem service was assessed through a cost-benefit analysis performed with different production scenarios. The carbon stock was found to be 672.3 t C / ha (22 % in biomass and 78 % in the soil at a depth of 45 cm). The average soil water storing capacity was 292.4 m3 / ha. The cost-benefit analysis evidenced the financial feasibility for the scenarios when projected sales are more than 3 % than current. Bamboo forests provide ecosystem services that are yet another justification for better economic compensation and a medium to promote balance between ecosystem services and the financial situation of producers, who derive their incomes from its production.