Effects of rapid environmental changes on GHG dynamics in Tropical peatlands

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H05625
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Forest science
• Research Institution: University of Hyogo (2017-2018); Kyoto University (2015-2016)
• Principal Investigator: ITOH MASAYUKI 兵庫県立大学, 環境人間学部, 准教授 (70456820)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 熱帯泥炭 / 東南アジア / 温室効果ガス / 土地利用改変 / 排水 / 火災

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We conducted field survey in tropical peat swamp in Southeast Asia, in which rapid environmental changes (such as deforestation, drainage, and peat fires) are occurring. We applied hydrological and biogeochemical survey to elucidate the effects of environmental changes on material cycling, especially greenhouse gas emissions and water quality. Our field observation showed the change in carbon dioxide emission from peat decomposition (Drained forest >undrained intact forest > drained and burnt degraded peat). We also firstly reported ecosystem scale methane flux in undrained peat swamp forest in Indonesia. Our results showed that the swamp forest can switch from methane sink in dry season to methane source in wet and inundated season. These reports contribute deeper understanding of changes in material cycles in tropical peatland under rapid changes.

Free Research Field

生物地球化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果は、これまで研究報告例が数少なかったインドネシアを中心とする東南アジア熱帯泥炭湿地林での物質循環に、急速な人為的な環境変化が及ぼしている影響について　明らかにするものである。現地で進む森林からプランテーションへの土地利用改変の途上で生じる、排水や火災が泥炭分解由来の温室効果ガス放出にどのように影響するかといった情報は、将来的な土地改変のあり方を考える際の重要な情報となる。