Unlocking soil carbon stock potential in conservation areas

Abstract

Indonesia’s nationally determined contributions (NDC) outline ambitious emission reduction targets, with the forestry and other land use (FOLU) sector expected to play a significant role in achieving these goals. This study estimates soil carbon stock in conservation areas covering mineral and peat soils. A total of 72 sample plots in Bukit Tigapuluh National Park (NP), Kutai NP, and Sebangau NP were established for soil sample collections. This study found that the highest organic content in mineral soil is at 0-5 cm depth, accounting for 3.54% in Bukit Tigapuluh NP and 2.72% in Kutai NP. The carbon stocks of mineral soil in Bukit Tigapuluh NP and Kutai NP at 0-30 cm depth are 43.17 tons C ha-1 and 56.77 tons C ha-1, respectively. Meanwhile, the carbon stock in peat soil in Sebangau NP at 400 m depth is 2,155.63 tons C ha-1, 43-fold more significant than the carbon stock in mineral soil. This study underscores the significance of soil carbon in Indonesia’s climate mitigation. It highlights the opportunity to refine emission estimates from the FOLU sector by adding a soil carbon pool to calculate the emission factor.