Carbon dioxide mitigation with tabat system on peatland

Abstract

Peatland conservation to maintain the natural condition is the best way to resolve carbon dioxide emission problem due to land use change; and to reduce fire in peatland. However, peatland conservation in extensive agricultural peatland is difficult to execute (or accomplish). Peatland can be productive for agriculture with the appropriate technology. Water management is required to regulate groundwater level which is suitable for plants and maintain soil moisture. Tabat is a water management system carried out with the installation of water-gate in the drainage channels to regulate groundwater level. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of tabat system in mitigating CO2 emissions. This research was conducted by survey method and then field sampling on rubber land use. The research carried out in two experimental units in the peatland; 1) the drainage channel is equipped with the water-gate/Tabat (RST), Tabat size adjusted to the channel dimensions, and 2) there are no water-gate on the drainage channel (RNT). The parameters of CO2 fluxes, groundwater levels, and water content were carried out from January to December 2015. The results showed that the water management of Tabat System reduced CO2 emissions by 23.6% and enable to prevent loss in water-holding ability of fibric peat by 13.9%. This indicates that water management Tabat System enable maintain peat moisture and as a CO2 mitigation.