CARBON INPUT IN TROPICAL

PEATLANDS
Sasi Gendro Sari
PEATLANDS AND CARBON
 Peatlands have the highest carbon density
among the terrestrial biomes
PEATLANDS AND CARBON

 Peatlands store an enermous amount of

carbon
 A large part of our coal originated from the
peatlands of previous geological epochs
PEATLANDS AND CARBON

 Plant and other organic materials are very

well preserved in the saturated peat
 A close-up of Spagnum cells from peat
approximately 4000 years old
PEATLANDS AND CARBON

Carbon cycle in
terrestrial
 PEATLANDS AND CARBON

 Simplified description of carbon flow & peat formation in a peatland

with an oxic upper part & an anoxic layer beneath. Encircled
symbols represent gases & dashed arrows show microbial processes
PEATLANDS AND GREENHOUSE
GASES

 Burning peatlands, Indonesia

PEATLANDS AND GREENHOUSE
GASES

 Peatland fires in Southeast Asia are the world’s largest single source
of carbon emission
 Peatlands disturbed by human activities often become source of
CO2 but do not totally stop emitting CH4 which is released
especially from drainage ditches
PEATLANDS AND GREENHOUSE
GASES

 The different GHG fluxes of pristine (left) and drained

(right) peatland sites
 Peatland emissions of methane are not a major contributor
to climate change
PEATLANDS AND GREENHOUSE
GASES
Intact peat:
 water table near surface allows accumulation of
organic matter (carbon sink)

channel
channel

Stream
Stream

Peat dome

Clay / sand
PEATLANDS AND GREENHOUSE
GASES

Drainage lowers water table and dries the peat

PEATLANDS AND GREENHOUSE
GASES

When the water table is lowered and the peat dries,

oxigen will react with the organic material and form Carbon
dioxide (CO2) emissions through:
 decomposition (rotting)
 fires

CO2
CO2
PEATLANDS AND GREENHOUSE
GASES
 The peat soil will subside as a result of loss of water,
compaction and loss of matter (through CO2
emission).
 The subsidence will only stop when the peat is
‘rewetted’.
 Without rewetting the peat will disappear
IMPACTS OF FUTURE CLIMATE
CHANGE ON PEATLANDS

 Projected changes in temperature in 2020-

2029 (left) and 2090-2099 (right) compared
to the period 1980-1999, based on the
multimodel ensemble for the IPCC A2
emissions scenario.
IMPACTS OF FUTURE CLIMATE
CHANGE ON PEATLANDS

 Sea level rise may lead to erotion of

peatlands by wave action (left)
 Climate warming raises the probability of
peat fires all over the world especially in PSF
in SE-Asia (right)
MANAGEMENT OF PEATLANDS
PRIORITY 1
OPTIMISING WATER LEVELS: IMPROVE WATER MANAGEMENT

Different kinds of dams can be used to manage water levels

RESTORE ALSO HYDROLOGY IN SURROUNDING
HCV FOREST AREAS
In the surroundings of the
plantation or in conservation
zones within the plantation,
High Conservation Value
forests may require
management interventions,
e.g.:
 Blockage of small channels;
hydrological monitoring and
management
 Guarding against illegal
logging
 Fire prevention and control
 Reforestation
 Buffer zone development
 Community engagement
and development
UTILISATION OF BLOCKED CANALS

To broker acceptance of
water management
structures and channel
blocking by local
communities, blocked
channel areas may be
used as fishponds

Ponds position vs blocking canals

PRIORITY 2
FIRE PREVENTION & FIGHTING

Ensure adequate fire prevention and

fire control, also in surrounding
areas, including:
• awareness raising
• capacity building
Focus on local communities,
authorities and plantation staff
PRIORITY 3
SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• As part of the Company’s Social Responsibility

programme, small scale local community economic
and other development initiatives (e.g. health care,
schooling, etc) can be supported through micro-
credits or grants.
• Sustainable palm oil development of communities can
be supported
PRIORITY 4
RE-GREENING DEGRADED PEATLANDS

• Where plantations on peat are abandoned, or in adjacent degraded

peatlands, reforestation programmes can be implemented
• This may link to conservation buffer zones
• Carbon credits (from carbon sequestration and avoided emissions from
degraded peatlands)
• It will reduced fire risks for the plantations
• When reforesting peatlands:
• Ensure hydrological restoration to (near) natural water patterns
• Plant indigenous species, and/or fire resistant species
PRIORITY 5 NATURE CONSERVATION

• Consider the potential of palm oil plantations as buffer zones for high
conservation value forest areas
• Consider mutual benefits from:
• Bio-diversity off sets
• Hydrological management
• Fire control
• Development of infrastructure
• Patrol against poaching and illegal logging