Peatland ecosystems in Kyrgyzstan: Distribution, peat characteristics and a preliminary assessment of carbon storage

Abstract

The peatland ecosystems of Central Asia have received little attention from scientific research to date. In the continental, predominantly semi-arid to arid climate of Kyrgyzstan they represent rare biotopes that are crucial for maintaining special ecosystem functions within the vulnerable mountain areas. In this study, we present an assessment of the distribution and total area of peatlands in Kyrgyzstan derived from Soviet topographic maps. About 64,500ha of peatlands were detected after digitizing special wetland signatures from maps at a scale of 1:100,000. The relevance of these signatures was tested with ground truth data and in most cases these signatures matched with peatlands.Ground truth data were collected for 13 peatlands, and brief descriptions of the vegetation and soil characteristics for these peatlands are provided. A gradient from plains to high mountains was detected with regard to peat thickness, each associated with their own distinct plant communities. Greatest peat (average 64cm thick) accumulation occurred at low altitudes (<1000ma.s.l.) and the thinnest peat (average 14cm) occurred at high altitudes (above 3500ma.s.l.). By combining data on the total area of peatlands with results from laboratory analysis of soil samples, we were able to investigate the potential carbon storage of peatlands in Kyrgyzstan. Depending on the location and peatland type, we found levels of carbon storage equating to 152 to 465 tons carbon per hectare, which scales up to an estimated national carbon storage equating to c.16.4Mt for the entire country.