Peatland Area Research Articles

Desalination of Borneo tropical brackish peat water with adsorption process in continuous electrocoagulation treatment

Borneo tropical brackish peat water is originated from the decomposed living materials in peatland areas. The water source is naturally formed as resulted by the intrusion between peat water and sea water at the river delta during high tide. In Sarawak, Malaysia, brackish peat water is available in the coastal rural areas in which some of these areas are associated with water supply shortage. Recent studies report that electrocoagulation treatment is effective in reducing total organic content from peat water sources. However, the application of such treatment to reduce salinity levels in brackish peat water is yet to be investigated. As such, this study aims to investigate the feasibility of continuous electrocoagulation treatment to reduce salinity levels in Borneo tropical brackish peat water with adsorption process. Correspondingly, the objectives of this study are (i) to conduct an experimental study to reduce salinity levels in brackish peat water by using continuous electrocoagulation treatment with aluminium electrodes, (ii) to develop adsorption theorem and kinetic models to determine the salinity adsorption capacity and constant rate of salinity reduction in brackish peat water respectively, and (iii) to identify the salts elements on the produced flocs with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). This study reports the highest salinity reduction efficiency for brackish peat water with an initial salinity level of 0.50%. At an initial salinity level of 0.50%, the salinity level has reduced from 4507 mg/L to 527 mg/L with 88.3062% of salinity reduction efficiency. According to Freundlich adsorption theorem, the salinity reduction in brackish peat water is possibly due to multilayer adsorption in continous electrocoagulation treatment. Additionally, the salinity reduction in brackish peat water follows the non-linear pseudo-first-order model at constant rate of 2.62 min−1. Lastly, the SEM and EDX analysis have revealed the presence of salts elements which are calcium, silica, sulphate, chloride, magnesium, and sodium on the produced flocs. The presence of salts elements on the produced flocs signify adsorption process is the precursor to the salinity reduction in brackish peat water. Overall, continuous electrocoagulation treatment which produces aluminium hydroxides is feasible to reduce salinity levels in Borneo tropical brackish peat water with adsorption process.

COMPARISON OF PEATLAND HYDROLOGICAL MODELS

Peatlands have a vital role in carbon sequestration and mitigation of global climate change. Peatlands in the boreal and sub-arctic regions store around 15–30% of global soil carbon. In the European Union the move towards the climate neutrality policy includes activities specifically aimed at the reduction of negative greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands through nature conservation and renewal. In Latvia the total area of peatlands is 645 100 ha. Due to industrial peat extraction and other processes a considerable proportion of peatlands in Latvia are degraded, thus leaving negative impact on both the local wildlife environment and on the global effort to tame the climate change. Areas in Latvia where peat extraction has ended or has been suspended without revitalisation activities in place amount to 18 010 ha. Given the conditions the restoration of degraded peatland environments is important and most often take place in the raised bogs calling for evidence-based decision making through deployment of hydrological models that are applicable for restoration of raised bogs in conditions of Latvia. The analysis of available hydrological models indicate that mathematical deterministic physically based models are applicable for the restoration activities of peatlands. The raised bog model deployed in Männikjärve bog holds the potential to be integrated within a virtual reality environment after further improvements, thus potentially improving decision and environmental policy making process for raised bog area restoration activities. Further work on tailored model for bog restoration considering the data acquisition challenges with input data fed through remote sensing capabilities is proposed.

Kontribusi Pertanian Berkelanjutan di Lahan Suboptimal Terhadap Aspek Lingkungan dan Sosial-ekonomi di Kecamatan Pulau Burung, Provinsi Riau

The circumstance of suboptimal land, due to its complex and often difficult nature, is either under-utilized and becomes abandoned space or over-utilized and generates environmental problems. In fact, suboptimal land, including peatlands, can be an alternative amid the decreasing area of arable land per capita for agriculture. This study aims to assess the contribution of sustainable agriculture for coconut commodities in the peatlands area, Pulau Burung District, Indragiri Hilir Regency, Riau Province. Data on environmental aspects were obtained from secondary data provided by the local company. Data on socio-economic aspects were obtained using focus group discussions (FGD) in five villages through semi-structured interview to 29 residents from various backgrounds. As a result, agricultural practices in this area can be deemed as sustainable based on water management indicators. The environmental impact is very minimal, biodiversity is preserved, and the subsidence rate is very low at 1.7 cm per year. In terms of socio-economic aspect, it can be concluded that the community perceives the environmental and social aspects are well maintained. Referring to the results of the FGD on agricultural practices, land fire control, food access, waste management, and water access are aspects that are considered adequate for the community. In contrast, land governance scored the lowest due to the difficulties in obtaining land certificates.
 
 Keywords: peatland, suboptimal land, sustainable agriculture, water management

Biocapacity and cost-effectiveness benefits of increased peatland restoration in Scotland

Ecological Footprint and biocapacity accounting is a widely-used ecological accounting framework which tracks human demand against the biosphere's rate of regeneration. However, current national assessments do not yet include carbon-dense peatlands, hindering the evaluation of peatland biocapacity contributions. Also, the economic efficiency of peatland restoration is understudied and needed to inform land use decisions. We provide the first assessment of Scotland's biocapacity and add peatlands as a novel land type. We then project the biocapacity impacts in 2050 of current peatland restoration targets and various alternative management scenarios. Finally, we estimate the cost per tonne of greenhouse gas abated of various peatland restoration scenarios, and compare this with estimates of afforestation mitigation costs from the literature. Our results show that Scotland's per-person biocapacity exceeds the UK average by a factor of three. However, despite covering 25% of land area, peatland biocapacity increases Scotland's biocapacity total by only 2%, while the Carbon Footprint of degraded peatlands increases Scotland's ecological deficit by 40%. Current peatland restoration targets of the Scottish Government are estimated to reduce the national ecological deficit by only 9% in 2050. The cost-effectiveness of peatland restoration is context-dependent, and extremely cost-effective methods are applicable to peatland areas far exceeding current government restoration targets. Our findings provide land managers with evidence in favour of increased peatland restoration, both in terms of boosting biocapacity, and economic cost-effectiveness.

Multiscale Variability and the Comparison of Ground and Satellite Radar Based Measures of Peatland Surface Motion for Peatland Monitoring

Peatland surface motion is highly diagnostic of peatland condition. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) can measure this at the landscape scale but requires ground validation. This necessitates upscaling from point to areal measures (80 × 90 m) but is hampered by a lack of data regarding the spatial variability of peat surface motion characteristics. Using a nested precise leveling approach within two areas of upland and low-lying blanket peatland within the Flow Country, Scotland, we examine the multiscale variability of peat surface motion. We then compare this with InSAR timeseries data. We find that peat surface motion varies at multiple scales within blanket peatland with decreasing dynamism with height above the water table e.g., hummocks < lawn < hollows. This trend is dependent upon a number of factors including ecohydrology, pool size/density, peat density, and slope. At the site scale motion can be grouped into central, marginal, and upland peatlands with each showing characteristic amplitude, peak timing, and response to climate events. Ground measurements which incorporate local variability show good comparability with satellite radar derived timeseries. However, current limitations of phase unwrapping in interferometry means that during an extreme drought/event InSAR readings can only qualitatively replicate peat movement in the most dynamic parts of the peatland e.g., pool systems, quaking bog.

Rattan: its role for food-alternative of the community near the peatland areas in Central Kalimantan

The rattan existence in the natural habitat is decreasing due to forest and land degradation. On the other hand, an irresponsible extraction of rattan makes its natural condition worsen. At the same time, rattan has an important role in the community subsistence and economically is presumed as a multi-purpose species. The study aimed to examine the role of rattan for food alternatives and how it contributes to the daily life and culture of the community near the peatland areas in Central Kalimantan. The primary and secondary data are collected purposively through field observation and interviews with the local communities in the near peatland areas in two study sites: Mantangai and Katingan in Central Kalimantan. Calamus caesius, C. ornatus, C. trachycoleus, C. javensis, Daemonorops crinita D. fissa, D. angustifolia, and Plectocomiopsis geminiflora are the rattan potentially used as food alternatives. C. ornatus, D. angustifolia, and D. fissa are the preferable rattan used for food by the community near the peatland areas in Central Kalimantan, both for daily and cultural activities.

Prototype Design of Smart Greenhouse Gases Systems for Environmental Monitoring in Peatland Areas

Prototype Design of Smart Greenhouse Gases Systems for Environmental Monitoring in Peatland Areas

A strong mitigation scenario maintains climate neutrality of northern peatlands

A strong mitigation scenario maintains climate neutrality of northern peatlands

GAMBUT field experiment of peatland wildfires in Sumatra: from ignition to spread and suppression

Peat wildfires can burn over large areas of peatland, releasing ancient carbon and toxic gases into the atmosphere over prolonged periods. These emissions cause haze episodes of pollution and accelerate climate change. Peat wildfires are characterised by smouldering – the flameless, most persistent type of combustion. Mitigation strategies are needed in arctic, boreal, and tropical areas but are hindered by incomplete scientific understanding of smouldering. Here, we present GAMBUT, the largest and longest to-date field experiment of peat wildfires, conducted in a degraded peatland of Sumatra. Temperature, emission and spread of peat fire were continuously measured over 4–10 days and nights, and three major rainfalls. Measurements of temperature in the soil provide field experimental evidence of lethal fire severity to the biological system of the peat up to 30 cm depth. We report that the temperature of the deep smouldering is ~13% hotter than shallow layer during daytime. During night-time, both deep and shallow smouldering had the same level of temperature. The experiment was terminated by suppression with water. Comparison of rainfall with suppression confirms the existence of a critical water column height below which extinction is not possible. GAMBUT provides a unique understanding of peat wildfires at field conditions that can contribute to mitigation strategies.

О РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИИ ОСУШЕННЫХ ТОРФЯНИКОВ В БАШКИРСКОМ ПРЕДУРАЛЬЕ

In Bashkir Cis-Urals (Republic of Bashkortostan, Southern Urals region) more than 350 anthropogenically modified peatlands with a total area of over 47000 hectares have been identified. Most of these peatlands were drained. The peat extraction was most actively carried out in the forest-steppe areas in the first half of the 20th century. About 12000 hectares of these peatlands are used as hayfields, more than 7000 hectares – as pastures, the small areas are used for arable land. A significant part of the drained peatland areas are abandoned, and the systems of their drainage channels are not fully functional.

THE DRIVING AND RESTRAINING FACTORS FOR PEAT FOREST PARK MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL PARTNERSHIP

Indonesia has the second largest peatland area in the world, of which 19% is damaged due partly to forest fires and encroachment. The Orang Kayo Hitam (OKH) forest park located in the Indonesian province of Jambi is one among several peat forests in the country that remain largely intake. But as do other forested areas, the park faces severe encroachment threats. Multistakeholder partnership as stipulated by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 17 offers a reasonable strategy to mitigate the threats. This article studies the driving and restraining factors, both externally and internally, that affect preservation of the park’s peatland as well as the development of effective partnership strategies. Results of the force field analysis show that community’s knowledge and awareness about the link between the park’s ecological and economic functions are the strongest internal driving factors, while lack of them are the strongest restraining ones. Availability of endemic species and frequency of forest fires are the strongest external driving and restraining factors, respectively.

THE DRIVING AND RESTRAINING FACTORS FOR PEAT FOREST PARK MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL PARTNERSHIP

Indonesia has the second largest peatland area in the world, of which 19% is damaged due partly to forest fires and encroachment. The Orang Kayo Hitam (OKH) forest park located in the Indonesian province of Jambi is one among several peat forests in the country that remain largely intake. But as do other forested areas, the park faces severe encroachment threats. Multistakeholder partnership as stipulated by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 17 offers a reasonable strategy to mitigate the threats. This article studies the driving and restraining factors, both externally and internally, that affect preservation of the park’s peatland as well as the development of effective partnership strategies. Results of the force field analysis show that community’s knowledge and awareness about the link between the park’s ecological and economic functions are the strongest internal driving factors, while lack of them are the strongest restraining ones. Availability of endemic species and frequency of forest fires are the strongest external driving and restraining factors, respectively.

THE DRIVING AND RESTRAINING FACTORS FOR PEAT FOREST PARK MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL PARTNERSHIP

Indonesia has the second largest peatland area in the world, of which 19% is damaged due partly to forest fires and encroachment. The Orang Kayo Hitam (OKH) forest park located in the Indonesian province of Jambi is one among several peat forests in the country that remain largely intake. But as do other forested areas, the park faces severe encroachment threats. Multistakeholder partnership as stipulated by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 17 offers a reasonable strategy to mitigate the threats. This article studies the driving and restraining factors, both externally and internally, that affect preservation of the park’s peatland as well as the development of effective partnership strategies. Results of the force field analysis show that community’s knowledge and awareness about the link between the park’s ecological and economic functions are the strongest internal driving factors, while lack of them are the strongest restraining ones. Availability of endemic species and frequency of forest fires are the strongest external driving and restraining factors, respectively.

ESTIMATION OF POSSIBLE DIRECTION OF THE USE OF CUT-AWAY USYAZH PEATLAND (MINSK REGION)

Bogs play an important role in biosphere sustainability ensuring. During the development of a peatland for peat extract, significant changes occur in the bog ecosystem: a decrease in groundwater level, vegetation cover destruction, a decrease in peat deposit surface, animals migration, etc. These anthropogenic transformations lead to disruption of all biospheric functions inherent to a bog only in a natural state.
 As a result of the research, the general ecological situation of Logoisk district of Minsk region was analyzed, a number of developed peat deposits, reclaimed areas, as well as environmental objects of the region were estimated, and, taking into account the geomorphological and hydrological features of the bog and qualitative characteristics of remaining peat deposit, the further more rational direction of the developed section use of the peat deposit was determined. It has been established that the subsequent agricultural use of the worked-out area of Usyazh peatland is futile and, over time, leads to irreversible environmental and economic consequences.
 It is recommended after the end of the peat deposit exploitation: to carry out the procedure of changing the direction of its use to nature protection in accordance to the current legislation; to develop the remaining layer of peat deposits to maximum possible depth and take measures for environmental rehabilitation. The nature conservation direction of the use of the rehabilitated territory will lead to the restoration of the biosphere and natural and economic functions of the bog, as well as stabilization of the ecological situation in Logoisk district.

Keanekaragaman dan Kepadatan Semut (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) di Lahan Gambut Alami

This study aims to determine the effect of open peatland areas on ant diversity. This research method uses a quantitative descriptive approach by collecting ant samples using the pitfall traps method. The results showed that the total number of ant species found in this study was 129. In natural peat forests, 113 species were found from 3660 individuals and in open peatland found 49 species from 5976 individuals. The diversity index is 2.38 in natural peat forests and the diversity index is 1.91 in open peatland. In conclusion, the number of ant species decreases with the open area.
 Keywords: Peatlands, Oil Palm, Ants

Spatiotemporal Patterns of Burned Areas Based on the Geographic Information System for Fire Risk Monitoring

Forest and land fires occur every year in Indonesia. Efforts to handle forest and land fires have not been optimal because fires occur in too many places with unclear patterns and densities. The study analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of burned areas and fire density in fire-prone areas in Indonesia. Data of burned areas were taken from http://sipongi.menlhk.go.id/. The website collected its data from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) images. Data were analyzed using the hot spot analysis to determine the spatiotemporal patterns of the burned areas and the kernel density analysis to examine the density of land fires. Findings showed that the spatiotemporal pattern from 2016 to 2019 formed a hot spot value in the peatland area with a confidence level of 90–99%, meaning that land fires were clustered in that area. In addition, the highest density of land fires also occurred in the peatland areas. Clustered burned areas with high fire density were found in areas with low–medium vegetation density—they were the peatland areas. The peatland areas must become the priority to prevent and handle forest and land fires to reduce fire risks.

Airborne quantification of net methane and carbon dioxide fluxes from European Arctic wetlands in Summer 2019.

Arctic wetlands and surrounding ecosystems are both a significant source of methane (CH4) and a sink of carbon dioxide (CO2) during summer months. However, precise quantification of this regional CH4 source and CO2 sink remains poorly characterized. A research flight using the UK Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurement was conducted in July 2019 over an area (approx. 78 000 km2) of mixed peatland and forest in northern Sweden and Finland. Area-averaged fluxes of CH4 and carbon dioxide were calculated using an aircraft mass balance approach. Net CH4 fluxes normalized to wetland area ranged between 5.93 ± 1.87 mg m−2 h−1 and 4.44 ± 0.64 mg m−2 h−1 (largest to smallest) over the region with a meridional gradient across three discrete areas enclosed by the flight survey. From largest to smallest, net CO2 sinks ranged between −513 ± 74 mg m−2 h−1 and −284 ± 89 mg m−2 h−1 and result from net uptake of CO2 by vegetation and soils in the biosphere. A clear gradient of decreasing bulk and area-averaged CH4 flux was identified from north to south across the study region, correlated with decreasing peat bog land area from north to south identified from CORINE land cover classifications. While N2O mole fraction was measured, no discernible gradient was measured over the flight track, but a minimum flux threshold using this mass balance method was calculated. Bulk (total area) CH4 fluxes determined via mass balance were compared with area-weighted upscaled chamber fluxes from the same study area and were found to agree well within measurement uncertainty. The mass balance CH4 fluxes were found to be significantly higher than the CH4 fluxes reported by many land-surface process models compiled as part of the Global Carbon Project. There was high variability in both flux distribution and magnitude between the individual models. This further supports previous studies that suggest that land-surface models are currently ill-equipped to accurately capture carbon fluxes inthe region.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Rising methane: is warming feeding warming? (part 2)'.

Peatland Community Attitudes towards Conservation and Restoration Programs in Pelalawan, Riau, Indonesia

One of the priority areas for restoration and conservation of peatland after the 2015 fires in Riau is Pelalawan District. The community attitude around peatland will affect the success of conservation and restoration activities carried out by the government together with the Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG). This research aims to determine the community attitude around peatland toward conservation and restoration programs using a descriptive method with a qualitative approach. The total number of respondents is 45 communities spread over two subdistricts in Pelalawan, Riau. The location determination was carried out by purposive sampling where two sub-districts were selected, the Bunut sub-district representing the mainland peatland area and the Pelalawan sub-district representing the coastal peatland area. The main results of this research indicate that conservation and restoration of peatland such as the establishment of Fire Concerned Community (MPA), the existence of re-vegetation, canal blocking as form of re-wetting, and re-vitalization of livelihoods in Pelalawan, Riau obtain a positive response from the community along with it, community participation programs organized by the government. This research shows to the public that local peatland communities have awareness and understanding of the importance of protecting peatland area ecosystem.

Habitat area and environmental filters determine avian richness along an elevation gradient in mountain peatlands

Globally, relationships between avian richness and elevation in mountain ecosystems typically reflect one of four well‐documented patterns, but the mechanisms responsible for these patterns are poorly understood. We investigated which pattern best described bird species richness in peatlands of the Upper Bow Basin of the Canadian Rocky Mountains (1300–2000 m a.s.l.) and used a model competition framework to investigate possible mechanisms. Avian richness displayed a plateauing (cubic) relationship in response to increasing elevation (AICc weight = 0.48). Log richness was significantly positively related to log peatland area (R2 = 0.42, p = 0.001); however, and once we accounted for the richness–area relationship (area was not related to elevation (R2 = 0.13, p = 0.083)), the richness–elevation relationship was best described by a negative linear model rather than a cubic model (AICc weight = 0.69, R2 = 0.39). Consequently, we reject the neutral model of the mid‐domain effect and conclude that peatland area and one or more environmental filters are simultaneously driving relationships between avian richness and elevation in Rocky Mountain peatlands. Multicausality likely explains why researchers in different geographies observe inconsistent patterns between richness and elevation: drivers and interactions among drivers may vary spatially. Importantly, Natural Subregion was a stronger predictor of avian species richness than elevation per se (AICc weight = 0.96), suggesting that the responsible environmental filter(s) is relatively homogenous within ecological land classes (e.g. primary productivity) rather than directly variable with elevation (e.g. temperature). The results also lend insight into priorities for future research on richness–elevation patterns in mountain birds.

The role of stakeholder to support the development of competitive commodities on peatlands: case study in Pulang Pisau Regency, Central Kalimantan Province

In developing a food security business model, support from various related stakeholders is required. The success of this program cannot be done by a single actor but should be a collaboration among actors. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze stakeholders and their roles in developing a partnership model to support the development of competitive commodities in peatland area. This study was conducted in 2020 at the villages of Buntoi and Mantaren 1, Pulang Pisau Regency, Central Kalimantan Province. Data analysed are primary and secondary which are collected through in-depth interviews and online questionnaires. The data are analyzed using stakeholder analysis. The result of the study shows that several actors have the potentials to become key players in the development of superior commodities in peatland area, there are five actors at the district level (Official of Agriculture, Official of Food Crops, Official of Regional Planning and Development, Official of Trade, Cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Official of Community and Village Empowerment), two actors at the provincial level (Official of Food Crops Services and Official of The Food Security, an actor at the site level (Forest Management Unit (FMU/KPH)), and one institution at the village level (the joint business group (Kelompok Usaha Bersama/KUB) or the social forestry business group (Kelompok Usaha Perhutanan Sosial/KUPS). KUB or KUPS can be the main social actor of the village to support the development of value chains for competitive products. The Village Government can form BUMDes to accommodate KUB, KUPS, or the other farmer groups in managing their business for both marketing and financing purposes. The local government plays an important role in being the leader in supporting the developments along the value chain for the products. In addition, it also requires good cooperation with other institutions such as financial institutions, industries, and universities.