Peat extraction for horticultural substrates releases stored carbon and degrades sensitive bog ecosystems. However, unprecedented strandings of pelagic Sargassum spp. along Atlantic and Caribbean coastlines present increasing waste-management challenges. To address the environmental impacts of both peat harvesting and the costly disposal of beached seaweed, this study evaluated sargassum compost (SC) as a partial peat substitute for containerized ornamental plant production. Three bedding plant species—petunia ( Petunia × hybrida ‘Easy Wave’), vinca ( Catharanthus roseus ‘Tattoo’), and marigold ( Tagetes patula ‘Janie’)—were cultivated in substrates containing 0% (SC0), 30% (SC30), or 50% (SC50) sargassum compost to assess the effects on substrate properties on plant growth and foliar nutrient composition. Plant growth responses were species specific; germination time was significantly delayed in marigold and petunia with increasing compost proportion, whereas vinca germination was unaffected. The germination rate differed significantly only for petunia, declining from 65% with SC0 to 33.3% in SC30. Aboveground biomass increased significantly for vinca and petunia, with vinca achieving the highest mean biomass in SC30 (0.60 g/plant, 13.2% greater than SC0), while petunia biomass increased from 0.10 to 0.17 g/plant in SC30. Marigold vegetative growth declined with greater compost fraction, with mean plant height reduced from 20.96 cm (SC0) to 15.30 cm (SC50). Compost addition enhanced floral productivity in marigold, increasing flowering incidence from 7.6% (SC0) to 38.2% (SC50), and in vinca at moderate compost levels (54.2% flowering in SC30 vs. 17.4% in control). Higher compost incorporation improved plant uniformity in both marigold and vinca, although 50% substitution suppressed growth in both species and reduced flowering in vinca. The results support the selective use of SC in bedding plant production with 30% substitution offering an effective balance between sustainability and plant performance.

The mentoring activity for establishing pineapple and vegetable demonstration plots (demplots) in Taroi District, Teluk Bintuni Regency, is a collaborative effort between the Tangguh LNG Bintuni company and the University of Papua (UNIPA). This program is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and motivation for gardening among Taroi residents, enabling them to produce vegetables and pineapples as new economically valuable income sources. The activities were conducted across four villages: Taroi, Tambanewa, Pera-pera, and Sorondouni. The commodities used in the demonstration plots were pineapple, chili, upland kangkong (water spinach), and mustard greens. The methodology employed was a participatory approach, including surveys, interviews, training, and pre-test/post-test evaluations. The implementation consisted of five main stages: site survey, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), participant selection, preparation of tools and materials, establishment of the demonstration plots, and activity evaluation. The results indicated that the majority of the Taroi District community resides in coastal areas with relatively thick peat soil conditions. Consequently, the local residents generally had little interest in planting vegetables, except for pineapple, which was grown with minimal maintenance. Findings also showed that prior to the mentoring, 59% of participants did not know how to control pests and diseases (OPT), 25% used pesticides, 8% removed diseased plants, and 8% regularly weeded. Only a small number of participants recognized the importance of limiting seeds per planting hole (27.27%), the importance of nurseries (28.57%), and types of fertilizers (42.86%). After the mentoring sessions, the participants' knowledge and skills increased to 100%. Furthermore, 84% of participants agreed with the implementation of this activity, and 76.92% agreed that the program provides long-term benefits for the community.

European peatlands have been extensively drained for agriculture, resulting in substantial carbon losses and widespread soil degradation. Peatland restoration is therefore a global priority, with rewetting recognised as a key strategy for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. This review synthesizes current knowledge on soil transformations following the rewetting of agriculturally drained peatlands in Europe. We describe major degradation processes induced by drainage, including land subsidence, organic matter oxidation, and microbial community shifts from anaerobic to aerobic conditions. We then examine key rewetting approaches—ditch blocking, controlled flooding, and paludiculture—and their intended restoration outcomes. Rewetting fundamentally alters soil physical, chemical, and biological properties by raising and stabilizing water tables, restoring anoxic conditions, and modifying nutrient cycling and microbial processes. Findings indicate long-term stabilization of organic carbon in peat soils under anaerobic conditions, but also reveal trade-offs between reduced CO2 emissions and increased CH4 and N2O fluxes. Vegetation–soil interactions strongly influence recovery trajectories, and paludiculture offers potential to align agricultural land use with climate mitigation objectives. Finally, we evaluate current research methodologies and identify major knowledge gaps, including limited long-term data and insufficient integration of hydrological, chemical, and biological processes. We highlight priorities for future research to support evidence-based rewetting strategies that deliver climate benefits while maintaining ecological and economic sustainability in European peatlands.

Biological Activity of Eutrophic Peaty Soils in the Central Floodplain of the Poros River (Tomsk Oblast)

Synergistic production of fuel-grade hydrocarbons and carbon-rich biochar from peat soil–plastic waste co-pyrolysis

Drained thermokarst (thaw) lakes of permafrost regions represent potentially important but poorly constrained hot spots of greenhouse gas (GHG), carbon, and nutrient cycling. To elucidate the biogeochemistry of residual water bodies (RWB) formed after thermokarst lake drainage in permafrost peatlands, we measured dissolved CO₂ and CH₄ concentrations, CO₂ emissions, and dissolved (<0.45μm) carbon, major, and trace element concentrations in the continuous and discontinuous permafrost zones of the Western Siberian Lowlands. Residual water bodies located within drained lake basins were examined across early and late successional stages. Carbon dioxide emissions from RWB surfaces ranged from 0.1 to 2.0g C-CO₂ m-2 d-1 and did not exhibit systematic variation with successional stage or permafrost zone. In contrast, dissolved CO2 (200-1200μmolL-1) and CH4 (1-30μmolL-1) concentrations followed a consistent pattern of "Early stage > Late stage > Lake." Partial mismatch between dissolved CO₂ concentrations and CO₂ fluxes arises because concentrations integrate longer-term biogeochemical processes, whereas fluxes respond to short-term physical controls on gas exchange. The isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13C-DIC; -14 to -28‰) indicated dominant DIC production from terrestrial organic matter (plants and peat), with additional contributions from in-lake biogeochemical processing and gas exchange. Labile and highly soluble components of lake water-including DIC, major ions (Na, Mg, Ca, Cl), nutrients (P, K, Si), redox-sensitive elements (Fe, Mn), and several trace elements (Co, Ni, Sr, Rb, Mo, As)-showed similar stage-dependent decreases in concentration. This pattern is attributed to intensive biogeochemical cycling driven by vegetation establishment and nutrient uptake on drained lake bottoms. In contrast, low-solubility lithogenic elements and several trace metals (e.g., Cr, V, Cu, Zn, Pb) showed no consistent successional trend, and in some cases increased from early to late stages, suggesting inputs from mineral sources via suprapermafrost inflow. Overall, residual water bodies formed after thermokarst lake drainage differ markedly from mature lakes in their carbon, GHG, and solute composition. Their biogeochemistry is primarily regulated by terrestrial vegetation succession and peat soil inputs, highlighting drained thermokarst lakes as critical yet underrepresented hot spots in Pan-Arctic carbon and nutrient cycling under ongoing climate warming.

Peatlands are essential long-term carbon sinks, yet continued peat extraction for horticulture contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and ecosystem degradation. Here, we introduce artificial peat, a peat-formation-inspired material produced by selectively mimicking natural humification pathways under controlled alkaline conditions. Unlike conventional biomass conversion processes that aim for complete degradation, carbonization, or simple constituent replacement, this approach promotes controlled partial transformation of lignocellulosic biomass into artificial humic substances while preserving a stabilized fibrous framework. Batch and continuous processing routes operated under mild conditions (≤120 °C) using widely available feedstocks, including paludiculture biomass, wood residues, leaves, and agricultural by-products. Artificial humic acid yields ranged from 6.9 to 42.3 wt% in batch systems. Across both processing modes, carbohydrate fractions decreased and lignin underwent partial depolymerization followed by condensation into humified macromolecular structures, accompanied by a marked reduction of readily oxidizable organic matter. Multimodal analyses (elemental composition, Van Krevelen evolution, FTIR, microscopy/EDX, and oxidative thermogravimetry) revealed a transition toward oxygen-rich, condensed architectures with enhanced oxidative stability relative to raw biomass. The applied thermal–alkaline conditions are expected to promote hygienization and seed inactivation, while the conversion of labile biomass components into humic substances suggests improved chemical and potential biological stability. Produced within minutes rather than millennia, artificial peat combines humic functionality with preserved structural integrity, establishing a scalable and resource-efficient alternative to natural peat for sustainable growing media and carbon stabilization applications.

Tropical peatlands are major carbon sinks that store a significant portion of the world’s soil carbon. Although approximately 37% of the world’s tropical peatlands are located in Indonesia, these ecosystems face continuous degradation from drainage and fires. Despite the urgent need for restoration, precise local-scale baseline data remain insufficient. This study identified the spatial distribution of peat depth and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in Perigi, South Sumatra, an area currently lacking foundational information. We conducted field surveys at 73 sampling locations in Perigi to analyze peat depth and SOC content, developing predictive models using satellite-derived environmental variables. Based on these models, the study estimated spatial distributions and generated spatial uncertainty maps. The results indicate the potential existence of peatlands in areas not reflected in existing national maps, highlighting the necessity of detailed local-scale assessments. Furthermore, hydrological factors exerted a strong influence on both models, suggesting that the hydrological environment is a primary determinant of peatland formation in Perigi. These findings provide a scientific basis for understanding spatial characteristics and discussing future restoration and management strategies for vulnerable tropical peatland ecosystems.

Enhancing the Mechanical Properties and Reducing Water Sensitivity of Peat Soil Using Octadecyl Primary Amine

Abstract. Open drainage ditch (i.e., open drain) damming aims to raise the water table in agricultural grassland peat soils thereby reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A current knowledge gap is how to examine the spatial and temporal effectiveness of such an action, i.e., assessing the behaviour of the water table in the adjoining field. To address this gap, at a drained agricultural grassland site with shallow fen peat soils (ranging from 0 to 2 m depth), water level in an open drain was raised by installing a dam. Associated changes to the water table depth (WTD) were monitored using two nests of dip-wells installed at two locations (Rewetted and Control areas) in the adjoining field. Soil profile volumetric water content (VWC) data were obtained in these two areas in addition to the temperature, salinity, pH, and electrical conductivity signature of the water in the open drain. These data were integrated with geophysical (electromagnetic induction (EMI)) survey data conducted in June and December. Results from the dip wells (located &gt;20 m from dam) indicated that no measurable change in WTD occurred due to the dam installation, aligning with previous studies suggesting limited spatial influence in agricultural fen peat soils. VWC profiles, while consistent with peat physical properties, showed no deviation attributable to drain damming. The EMI results identified a distinct zone with electrical conductivity values similar to those of open drain water, suggesting localised water infiltration within ∼ 20 m of the dammed drain during summer. This spatial impact was less evident in December, likely due to increased precipitation and regional groundwater influence. This study demonstrates that EMI surveys, shown here in combination with other high-resolution data capture, can detect rewetting effects when combined with neural network clustering and Multi-Cluster Average Standard Deviation analysis, highlighting its value for rapid site assessment. Moreover, the results underscore the importance of survey timing, as June measurements provided clearer evidence of drain damming impact than the December measurements.

Mangrove ecosystems have an important role to play in maintaining coastal ecological balance, but high levels of damage require effective rehabilitation efforts. One of the main species that is widely used in rehabilitation is Rhizophora apiculata Bl., as it has strong roots, high tolerance to tides, and a relatively fast growth rate. The success of rehabilitation is highly dependent on the quality of the seedlings planted, while the planting medium in the seedbed is a key factor that determines early growth. This study aims to evaluate the influence of various types of planting media on the growth of R. apiculata seedlings. The experiment was carried out with a complete random design using several media treatments, including M1 (Ultisol soil media), M2 (peat soil media), M3 (sea mud soil media) and M4 (river sand media), each repeated four times. The observed parameters included propagule survival percentage, height gain, diameter increase, number of leaf blades and longest root length. The results showed that the planting medium provided 100% live propagule, significantly affecting the parameters of increase in height, number of leaf strands, and longest root length, but not significantly affecting the parameters of increase in propagule diameter. The best planting medium is M3 (Sea mud soil media). These findings affirm the importance of selecting appropriate planting media to improve the quality of seedlings in the seedbed phase, so that it can be a practical reference in nursery activities and mangrove rehabilitation programs, as well as making a scientific contribution to the development of sustainable mangrove silviculture.

ABSTRACT Isolated patches of permafrost, where ground thermal changes are affected by ecosystem factors such as vegetation cover rather than climate, may be vulnerable to environmental disturbances in semiarid regions. However, the impacts of ecosystem factors remain underevaluated in Mongolia. This study monitored changes in the ground surface temperature with respect to vegetation biomass and snow thickness and characterized the ground temperature dynamics at five boreholes in a wetland. Dense vegetation at the permafrost sites cooled the ground surface, resulting in a smaller positive surface offset ( S O ). Conversely, sparse and dry vegetation warmed the ground surface, leading to a larger positive S O . At the permafrost sites, the negative thermal offset was greater than that at the permafrost‐free sites because of the latent heat flux in the water‐saturated soil beneath the peat layer. The permafrost‐free sites had shorter zero curtains with mineral soils compared with wetter soils underlain by isolated permafrost. Ecosystem‐driven permafrost formed in the semiarid region impeded water penetration, increasing soil moisture and fostering peat soil development due to a slower decomposition rate. These processes reduced ground temperatures. These processes were associated with vegetation–soil negative feedback, ultimately enhancing the resilience of isolated patches of permafrost to climate change.

Among tree species, conifers, in particular Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) have a higher sensitivity to climate change. The aim of the work has been to assess the dynamics of photosynthetic pigments in connection with changes in climatic factors under conditions of constant excessive moistening in the soils of the northern taiga. The research has been conducted in dwarf shrub-shpagnum pine forests on bog peat soils at the mouth of the Northern Dvina River. In the period from 1998 to 2019, samples of 1-year-old needles have been collected from 20–50 pine trees in permanent sample plots, and the chlorophyll and carotenoid content has been determined using the photometric method. A study of the seasonal dynamics of the photosynthetic pigment complex of pine needles conducted in 2013–2016 has shown that the content of green pigments begins to decrease significantly only with the onset of frost in November. The positive temperature in September and October promotes the synthesis of chlorophylls, which can negatively affect the process of hardening trees before overwintering. In the autumn-winter period, there is an active accumulation of carotenoids in the needles, which should be considered as an adaptive response aimed at developing the resistance of the pine photosynthetic apparatus to changing environmental conditions. In May–June 1998– 2019, a similarity has been found in the dynamics of the average monthly air temperature and the content of chlorophyll a and carotenoids in the needles. During this period, a positive correlation has been observed between the concentration of chlorophyll a and the air temperature. Thus, at the beginning and during the active growing season in the northern taiga, positive temperatures have a stimulating effect on the formation of the photosynthetic apparatus of pine needles. In conditions of excessive moistening over a 20-year period, the amount of precipitation has not had a significant effect on the content of photosynthetic pigments in pine needles.

Abstract Available oil palm fresh fruit bunch transporters, such as wheelbarrows, tracked machines, and tractors with trailers, present notable limitations in terms of load capacity, accessibility, and causing soil compaction. Additionally, most existing machines lack the capability for direct unloading into collection bins. This research aimed to design and develop a wheeled oil palm fresh fruit bunch transporter equipped with a scissor lift mechanism to facilitate direct unloading, thereby addressing the limitations. Based on the design analysis, the transporter could operate effectively on steep mineral terrains and low ground pressure peat soils, with a load capacity of up to 750 kg. Design evaluations confirmed that the scissor lift mechanism could raise maximum loads and unload them directly into collection truck bins. The average field working capacity of the transporter was found to be 15 t·day −1 . The development of this transporter represents a significant contribution in medium-sized fresh fruit bunch evacuation systems, combining operational efficiency with minimal soil compaction.

Peatland farmers in Pontianak have traditionally applied combustion ash and organic matter to increase soil pH and nutrient availability, thereby enhancing crop productivity. Poultry manure is essential for providing essential macro- and micronutrients. Although changes in peat soil properties due to agricultural use are known, the specific attributes affected and the magnitude of these changes remain poorly documented. This study aimed to: (1) determine changes in the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio in peat soils cultivated under different land management practices, and (2) assess temporal changes in the C/N ratio associated with different cultivation durations. The study employed a direct survey method. Results showed that differences in peat soil characteristics between managed and unmanaged land were primarily evident in the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm layers. Changes in the C/N ratio were caused by intensive management practices involving large amounts of combustion ash, fish waste, shrimp shells, lime, urea, and KCl. In general, management duration did not significantly affect the C/N ratio or other chemical properties, except for KED and base saturation. At depths of 40–80 cm, the management effect is negligible, indicating that topsoil interventions have only limited impact on deeper layers. The relative stability of nutrient status in Pontianak's peatlands, despite prolonged intensive inputs, demonstrates the resilience of peat soil fertility. Changes in land suitability characteristics are primarily driven by management practices rather than cultivation duration.

Land use intensity (LUI) significantly influences the biophysical and biogeochemical properties of the global landscape. The impact of LUI is exceptionally strong in Southeast Asia (SEA), where forests are increasingly being replaced by intensively managed plantations. Despite these transformations, comprehensive studies on how different LUI regulate carbon, energy, and water fluxes in this region remain scarce. In this study, we examine data from 16 eddy covariance (EC) flux tower sites in SEA, representing a total of 112 years of measurements. We aim to assess trade-offs in carbon fluxes, light use efficiency (LUE), and water use efficiency (WUE) across a gradient of LUI: low (primary forests), medium (secondary forests), and high (plantations). Our findings reveal that mature high LUI sites on mineral soil act as carbon sinks; however, their high evapotranspiration rates often exceed site-specific precipitation, making them susceptible to water stress. For example, mean annual carbon uptake at high LUI sites (ranged from -1.19 to -0.74 kg C m-2 year-1) outperformed low LUI sites (-0.85 to -0.02 kg C m-2 year-1). The strong carbon uptake on high LUI had an exception when the ecosystem was in the establishment phase and managed on peat soil (0.98 kg C m-2 year-1). However, WUE was greater at low LUI (mean annual: 2.63 to 6.50 g C kg-1 H2O-1) compared to high LUI sites (2.08 to 3.53 g C kg-1 H2O-1), illustrating a trade-off between carbon uptake and water use. Additionally, while high LUI sites required less radiation to achieve maximum gross primary productivity, their mean daily LUE was not higher compared to low LUI sites. These findings underscore the importance of carefully balancing carbon sequestration goals with water resource considerations and drought resilience when promoting plantation systems. Conversely, forest conservation offers advantages for water security and ecosystem resilience to face climate change.

Due to the limited bearing capacity and significant deformation of peat soil in cold regions, there is an urgent need to improve its mechanical properties using additives and artificial ground freezing techniques, as well as to develop a rational constitutive model to guide engineering design. This study investigates peat soil from the Kunming region, with remolded soil samples modified by adding varying proportions (3%, 6%, and 9%) of Ordinary Portland Cement. Uniaxial compression and creep tests were conducted at temperatures of -10 °C, -15 °C, and -20 °C. Creep behavior was monitored for up to 10 hours or until deformation stabilized. The effects of cement content and temperature on the stress–strain response and creep characteristics were subsequently identified. Given that cement-modified peat soil exhibits characteristics between an ideal solid and an ideal fluid, a fractional-order calculus operator was employed. The research focused on compressive strength and creep behavior by developing a constitutive model and calculating model parameters based on experimental data. Results show that the fractional-order stress-strain index model, derived from Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative theory and incorporating the Harris damage function, provides highly accurate predictions and strong applicability. Moreover, the creep model using fractional-order calculus closely matched experimental data compared to traditional power-law creep models, offering a more accurate representation of the different stages of creep. This constitutive model is simple, clear, physically meaningful, and highly relevant for engineering applications.

Use of several ameliorants to improve the fertility status of post-burning peat soils

Abstract In the 1990s, the ambitious yet disastrous 1 million ha Mega Rice Project (MRP) in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, left behind vast areas of degraded and abandoned peatlands. The drainage of these peat soils has led to subsidence and substantial carbon emissions. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) has been used to quantify peat subsidence in this vast area through satellite data, although it often suffers from incomplete spatial coverage due to decorrelation. In this study, we employed time-series Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) InSAR combined with data-driven machine learning models to estimate peat subsidence in Blocks B and C of the ex-MRP area. A stack of Sentinel-1 C-band data from 2021–2022 served as the primary dataset for SBAS InSAR. To extrapolate InSAR results, we applied and examined several machine learning algorithms by involving some predictor maps. Random Forest Regression (RFR) delivered the best performance when the training data were separated by peatland blocks. The final subsidence map showed mean rates of −1.72 ± 1.57 cm yr –1 (Block B) and −1.55 ± 2.27 cm yr –1 (Block C). Feature importance analysis highlighted peat depth, latest fire, and distance to peat edge as key predictors. Overall, this work demonstrates the potential of integrating InSAR and machine learning to monitor tropical peatland subsidence at landscape scale of peat hydrological units.

The existence of peat soil with unfavorable properties has caused several problems that can arise and affect the construction conditions on the soil layer. This unfavorable soil condition is not favorable for civil buildings and if without proper planning will impact the strength and safety of the building. So it is necessary to analyze data using experimental methods in research that begins with investigating soil characteristics at the research location and investigations in the laboratory based on test data in the laboratory for further geotechnical analysis. Classification of peat soil at the research location of South Pontianak and Southeast Pontianak Districts based on test results, can be determined as follows: a. Based on ash content, the peat soil is Medium ash, which is peat soil with ash content between 5% and 15%. b. Based on the absorption level, peat soil is included in the Moderately absorbent and Highly absorbent types, where peat soil can hold 300 – 1500% water. c. Based on the level of maturity (Von Post Classification System), in this study 3 layers of conditions were obtained, namely surface, 50cm and 100cm. In general, for the surface layer, peat soil is classified as sapric, the 50 cm layer is classified as hemic and the 100 cm layer is classified as fibric.