The drainage and cultivation of peatlands will lead to subsidence and mineralisation of organic matter, increasing carbon (C) loss as more CO2 is emitted. There is little information about carbon emissions from bare peat soil. A study was undertaken to measure the CO2 emissions from a logged-over peat swamp area that was purposely vegetation-free. We aimed to report CO2 emissions from a bare, drained peatland developed for an oil palm plantation. For 12 months, we used eddy covariance (EC), closed chambers, and soil subsidence measurements to derive CO2 emissions from a logged-over peat swamp area. Significant variations in the estimated soil CO2 efflux were observed in the three tested measurement techniques. The average CO2 flux rate measured by the EC technique was 4.94 ± 0.12 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1 (or 68.55 tonnes CO2 ha−1 year−1). Meanwhile, the soil CO2 efflux rate measured by the closed chamber technique was 4.19 ± 0.22 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1 (or 58.14 tonnes CO2 ha−1 year−1). Subsidence amounted to 1.9 cm year−1, corresponding to 36.12 tonnes CO2 ha−1 year−1. The estimation of the C loss was found to be highest by the EC technique, lower by the soil chamber technique, and lowest by the peat subsidence rate technique. The higher CO2 emission rate observed in the EC technique could be attributed to soil microbial respiration and decomposing woody residues in the nearby stacking rows due to the large EC footprint. It could also be affected by CO2 advection from oil palms adjacent to the study site. Despite the large differences in the CO2 emission rates by the different techniques, this study provides valuable information on the soil heterotrophic respiration of deep peat in Sarawak. Carbon emissions from a bare peat area cover only a fraction of the soil CO2 respiration component, i.e., the soil heterotrophic respiration. Further investigations are needed to determine the CO2 emissions by soil microbial activities and plant roots from other peat areas in Sarawak.
Tropical peatlands have different characteristics as compared to temperate peatlands in terms of organic materials and topography. It is important to understand the soil characteristics for improving crop management practices. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of different types of peat on soil carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions and oil palm yield in Sarawak. The study area was classified as Naman (Oa) and Kenyana (Oawu) series using the Malaysian Unified Classification of Organic Soils (MUCOS). Soil CO 2 efflux was determined by using a portable CO 2 analyser at monthly intervals from eight observational plots setup in each 10 ha study plot. The oil palm fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield was recorded since the first year of harvest (i.e. after about 30 months field planting). Results showed that the average soil CO 2 efflux was the highest in Naman series plot (4.89±0.36 µmol CO 2 m -2 s -1 ) compared to Kenyana series plot (4.44±0.37 µmol CO 2 m -2 s -1 ). However, FFB yield was recorded 40% higher at Naman plot compared to Kenyana plot. Higher FFB yield in Naman plot was related to its soil consisting of sapric materials that have more nutrients available for the crop, while Kenyana plot consisted of sapric materials together with undecomposed wood that might hinder the palm growth. This study suggests that different types of peat have significant effects on oil palm yield and soil CO 2 emissions. The site-specific and peat soil management based on its characteristics is important for oil palm growth and performance especially for enhancing FFB yield and improving environmental management.
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