ESTUDY OF THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF PARAMOS DE GUERRERO, NEUSA, CHINGAZA AND SUMAPAZ

Abstract

Almost 39 million hectares in the Paramo ecosystem in the Colombian territory represent 49% of all those lands in the world (IDEAM, 2015). This ecosystem offers important ecological functions, a unique biodiversity and the soils show a high atmospheric carbon fixation capacity; however, it is noteworthy the water holding capacity of soil, in fact these lands give rise to much hydric basins over the country. This study was carried out in the Guerrero, Neusa, Chingaza and Sumapaz, located in the department of Cundinamarca, Colombia, in 15 soils with different pedological dynamics, but with similar characteristics such as the high content of organic matter and the presence of volcanic ash. The objective of this research is to deepen the knowledge of the physical properties of representative soils of heights higher than 3000 m, using recent methodologies such as Computed Tomography. The measurements of the edaphic temperature in two seasons (summer and winter) should be highlighted in this research, and the amount of water that the organic horizon (O) loses when it is removed. The most worrying thing is that when trying to moisten it again it does not get re-humidified, which means that the O horizon has disappeared. Both the temperature and the loss of this horizon prove the need of becoming aware to protect and conserve these ecosystems through policies that limit the use of their specific and proper functions, such as conserving their biodiversity and maintaining their hydric conditions.