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Published on: January 7, 2019
Progressive release of long-stored carbon from tropical peatland disturbances
Jun Koarashi1, Masayuki Itoh2, Mariko Atarashi-Andoh3
1Nucelar Science and Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Ibaraki, Japan. koarashi.jun@jaea.go.jp.
Abstract:
Tropical peatlands are globally important, millennia-old carbon sinks, yet unprecedented human-driven degradation is triggering alarming carbon emissions. Comprehensive quantification of carbon dynamics across the disturbance sequence-from peat swamp forests to drained and fire-impacted peatlands-remains a critical knowledge gap. Here we show that over 18 years (1996-2014), drainage and subsequent peat fires released approximately 30-41 kg C m-2 from peatlands in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, using radiocarbon dating of peat profiles and groundwater dissolved organic carbon. Drainage contributed 5-11 kg C m-2, primarily from centuries- to millennium-old, previously waterlogged peat. Fires released 23-32 kg C m-2 from peat accumulated over the past 3,000 years, initiating progressive oxidative decomposition of older peat. Extrapolation to Indonesia's disturbed peatlands suggests a release of 0.81-3.70 Gt C between 1996 and 2014, with ongoing decomposition releasing an additional 0.03-0.08 Gt C annually, accelerating the impact on the global carbon balance.
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