Estimation of Carbon pool in various agricultural crops in peatlands of West and Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Tropical peat is an important natural ecosystem, and its natural state plays an important role in climate regulation. These peatlands globally provide vital environmental benefits, especially in case of their enormous carbon storage potential. Peat land also functions as a source of livelihood for the community, especially for agricultural activities, and this will lead to the potential loss of carbon stock in peatlands. This study examines plants' potential to create Carbon to offset carbon dioxide emissions and different land use types. The study focused on Central and West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Peat soil samples were collected from various types of land from 0-15, 15-45, and 45-100 cm depth and analyzed for physical and chemical parameters. The cylinder chamber method with infrared gas analysis model EGM-4 was used to measure CO2 emissions. Plant carbon sequestration was measured in a 6.25 m2 plot in the study sites of Central Kalimantan. The study showed that type of commodity and period of management affect the carbon content in peat with different land uses, and it is affected by soil bulk density, organic matter content, and CO2 emission. In the case of study crops, oil palm, rubber, corn, and mustard emit the highest CO2. Further, corn crop has the highest potential to fix carbon dioxide and produces more Carbon per hectare than the Carbon emitted from corn-planted under peatland conditions. The study indicated that the type of commodity and the time of its management affected the carbon content in peat with different land uses, and carbon content got the change with soil bulk density and soil organic matter content.