Water level and soil moisture monitoring for peatland fire risk indicator

Abstract

Peatland forest conversion into cultivated land often creates environmental issues in the form of increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by the decomposition of organic matter that eventually increase the risk of peat forest fires. This paper presents the results of a study of the peatland water table dynamics based on certain peatland characteristics (depth and maturity) and water management techniques (canal blocking), as well as an analysis of water level and soil moisture data for the peatland fire early warning model. This study was conducted in April-December 2018 at a palm oil plantation in Pangkalan Pisang Village, Riau Province. Peatland water table observations were carried out using a water level logger at each of the midpoints of three oil palm blocks measuring 30 ha each. Meanwhile, soil moisture contents were observed using a logger with two humidity sensors at two depths. The recorded observation data showed that the water table level was very dynamic and fluctuating, both temporally and spatially. The temporal observation data indicates that the water table levels after the rain had stopped in the three observed blocks decreased at the rates of 10.3, 10.6, and 13.6 mm/day, respectively. This research shows a significant correlation between soil moisture dry weight percent and the risk level of peatland fires. Soil moisture content was less than 100% dry weight and highly flammable.