Peat Maturity and Thickness for Carbon Stock Estimation

Authors:
Fahmuddin Agus, Anny Mulyani, Ai Dariah, Wahyunto, Maswar, and Erni Susanti

Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Stockholm

Keywords:
bulk-carbon-content, fibric, hemic, peat-maturity, sapric

Documentfile:
Agus et al 2012: Peat Maturity and Thickness for Carbon Stock Estimation

Summary:

Theme IX. Tropical peatlands

SUMMARY

A simple, but accurate approach is needed for monitoring below ground peat carbon stock. Based on over 2200 peat samples from Sumatra and Kalimantan, we determined peat maturity and bulk carbon content (Cv) relationships. Weight based carbon content, Corg, has relatively little variation between 0.52±0.17; 0.51±0.08 to 0.049±0.08 Mg Mg-1 while peat bulk density varies widely between 0.10±0.06; 0.12±0.07 and 0.18±0.10 Mg m-3 leading to Cv of 0.048±0.024; 0.060±0.028 and 0.082±0.032 for fibric, hemic and sapric peats, respectively. This peat maturity and Cv information can be used to speed up the otherwise very expensive, laborious and tedious peat sampling and monitoring of peat carbon stock.