Impact of Deforestation on Solid And Dissolved Organic Matter Characteristics Beneath Tropical Peat Forests: Implications for Carbon Release

Authors:
Gandois L., Cobb A.R. Chieng Hei I., Lim L., Kamariah A.S., C. F. Harvey

Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Stockholm

Keywords:
dissolved-organic-carbon-doc, logging, nitrogen, tropical-peatland

Documentfile:
Gandois et al 2012: Impact of Deforestation on Solid And Dissolved Organic Matter Characteristics Beneath Tropical Peat Forests

Summary:

Theme IX. Tropical peatlands

SUMMARY

This study investigated solid and dissolved organic matter elemental, molecular and spectroscopic properties in a pristine and logged over tropical peat forest of Brunei. In the deforested site, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in the pore water increased significantly compared to the pristine site (from 62.2±2.2 mg.l-1 to 79.9±5.5 mg.l-1), and its composition was modified: increase of nitrogen content and modification of optic properties (fluorescence index). Logging exploitation of the peat dome also greatly modified organic matter properties and composition: modification of phenolic, as well as sulphur and nitrogen content in the surface soil were observed in the deforested site, indicating an enhanced decomposition following logging exploitation.