Abstract
As part of carbon pools, forest soil stores soil organic matter (SOM) that contains many elements including organic C, N, P, and K. These elements contribute nutrients for biogeochemical cycles within the ecosystem. This study was done to determine the ecological value of forest soil organic matter at tropical evergreen Aglaia-Streblus forest of Meru Betiri National Park (MBNP), East Java, Indonesia. The data were sampled along gradient topography in Pringtali tropical forest of TMBNP. Direct measurements of soil moisture, temperature, and pH were taken in the field. The soil samples were extracted from 6 points of soil solum using soil auger, and then oven-dried to get value of dry-weight. The elements content of organic C, N, P, and K were analyzed and estimated at the laboratory. The ecoval of SOM was appraised using developed ecological valuation tool. The result showed that SOM contributed higher ecoval of organic C (66.03 Mg ha-1) than other elements. Compared to P and K elements, N had the highest stock of element content. However, comparing to other two tropical forest ecosystems of Asia the ecoval of SOM elements in TMBNP was relatively low because of its natural geomorphological features.The ecoval of SOM elements in TMBNP was relatively low because of its natural geomorphological features. The ecovals contributed about 2.440,64 - 6.955,50 USD or 31.271.923,73 - 89.120.837,23 IDR per hectare of ecological value (d) to the ecosystem. This value was mainly contributed by organic C stock in the TMBNP forest SOM. It means the forest SOM had higher element content of organic C than N, P, and K elements. This d value is an indicator for TMBNP to protect the SOM elements meaning protecting their resources to sustain the biogeochemical cycles in the forest ecosystem. All the management and policy correlated to this protected area should consider this valuable information for their plan and actions.
Highlights
Peatlands are wetland ecosystems characterised by accumulation of organic matter that is produced and deposited at a faster rate than it can be decomposed (Gore 1983)
Thermometer to measure soil and air temperature set at the same location with the logger and set to record every onehour intervals
The results of this study showed changes in land use as a result of the ex-Mega Rice Project (the MRP) activities cause changes in microclimate conditions in the peatland area
Summary
Peatlands are wetland ecosystems characterised by accumulation of organic matter that is produced and deposited at a faster rate than it can be decomposed (Gore 1983). Peatland in Indonesia covers about 16 to 27 Mha (Radjagukguk 1992; Rieley et al 1996) These ecosystems are vitally linked to conservation issues such as carbon sequestration affecting global climate change, and provision of key habitat for a diverse range of the world’s flora and fauna. They are the source of a significant portion of the freshwater and many economic resources vital to human survival. In 1996, 1.5 Mha of Peatland in Central Kalimantan was developed for rice production This project failed and was closed down in 1999 but left on legacy of habitat destruction and fire occurrence
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