Aware of the importance of peatland benefits as well as potential catastrophes that can be caused by peat damage, Dr. Ferian Anggara and his team conducting research and conservation efforts on peatland in Muara Siran, East Kalimantan.
Photo between the UGRG team led by Dr. Ferian Anggara and local residents in Muara Siran, East Kalimantan (PHOTO: FERIAN ANGGARA/UGM)
Peat is a wetland that is accumulated by the remnants of plants in a closed water body, so that decay activity by bacteria becomes obstructed. The accumulated plant remnants that occur continuously make the formation rate of peat exceed water table and can form a peat dome. Peat takes an important role in the ecosystem of one as carbon storage. However, Peatlands can also release the carbon that it holds in the atmosphere when it is damaged. Thus, it further increases the concentration of carbon elements in the atmosphere and causes global warming. Peatland is important for conservation and research.
Indonesia has the second largest peat land in the world with an area of 22.5 million hectares (ha). The existence of peat has various benefits, including storing 30% of global carbon. Peatland in Indonesia is spread across almost all regions, especially in equator areas such as Papua, Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, and East Kalimantan. One of the tropical peatlands is the Muara Siran area in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province, which is an inland peat that is relatively far from coastal areas.
The activity begins by conducting an image analysis and determining the location of sampling points. In order to obtain peat samples, teams had to explore the forest by climbing a river, then walking through the peat swamp forest. Peat sampling is carried out by hand drill drilling so that a certain thickness is obtained. The drill used is a MacCaulay peat sampler or a Russian D corer drill.
Figure 1. Location of peatland research and sampling in Muara Siran, East Kalimantan
After obtaining sample from drilling, the texture of the peat is immediately being described in order to determine its type. Then, the peat should be packaged immediately to avoid contact with air which could led to oxidation. Peat is stored in a semi-cylinder PVC pipe and tightly wrapped with an airtight plastic to prevent peat contact with the air and peat water leakage comes out of the pipe.
Furthermore, peat samples that have been obtained are then being analysed at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Analyses include peat petrography, ash content, and peat-type distribution. This research is conducted for peat characterization, calculating the accumulation of carbon pool, and peat spatial variability.
Figure 2. UGRG team take photos together before conducting research activities on traditional boat in Muara Siran (photo by: F. Anggara)
Figure 3. Field conditions at the sampling site, Muara Siran peatland, East Kalimantan (photo by: F. Anggara)
Freshgraduate student of Geological Engineering Department, Universitas Gadjah Mada.
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