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Distribution of peatlands in Indonesia

Abstract

Indonesia contains between 160 and 270 000 km{sup 2} of peatland, mostly in the sub-coastal lowlands of Irian Jaya, Kalimantan and Sumatra; depth varies from 0.5 to more than 10 metres. Present day peat started to accumulate in response to very wet climatic conditions after the end of the last glacial period on waterlogged substrates of low nutrient status and oxygen deficiency. Coastal and basin peatlands were preceded by mangrove swamp; Yiigh peat (peat at a slightly higher elevation) was probably initiated in freshwater swamp. Dates of origin range from 800 to almost 5 000 years B.P. for the former and over 9 000 years B.P. for the latter. Lowland tropical peat is relatively homogeneous, consisting of trunks, branches and roots of trees; it is mainly fibric with low mineral content. Peat domes are ombrogenous with a water table close to or above the surface for most of the year. Lowland peat swamps support a zonation of forest types. The marginal, mixed swamp forest is dominated by high canopy trees whilst the interior `pole` forest consists of lower, smaller diameter trees. Indonesian peat swamp forests are an important reservoir of biodiversity; they contain several commercial tree species and provide a  More>>
Authors:
Rieley, J; [1]  Page, S E; [2]  Setiadi, B [3] 
  1. Dept. of Life Science, Nottingham (United Kingdom)
  2. Leicester Univ. (United Kingdom). Dept. of Zoology
  3. Agency for the Assesment and Application of Technology, Jakarta (Indonesia)
Publication Date:
Dec 31, 1996
Product Type:
Technical Report
Report Number:
NEI-FI-326
Reference Number:
SCA: 011000; 010600; PA: FI-97:003438; EDB-97:104859; SN: 97001831511
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Global peat resources; Lappalainen, E. [ed.]; PB: 366 p.
Subject:
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT; PEAT; INVENTORIES; WETLANDS; RESOURCE ASSESSMENT; GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS; USES; INDONESIA
OSTI ID:
508881
Research Organizations:
International Peat Society, Jyskae (Finland)
Country of Origin:
Finland
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Other: ISBN 952-90-7487-5; TRN: FI9703438
Availability:
Available from International Peat Society, Kuokkalantie 4, 40420 Jyskae, Finland
Submitting Site:
FI
Size:
pp. 169-177
Announcement Date:
Jan 22, 2004

Citation Formats

Rieley, J, Page, S E, and Setiadi, B. Distribution of peatlands in Indonesia. Finland: N. p., 1996. Web.
Rieley, J, Page, S E, & Setiadi, B. Distribution of peatlands in Indonesia. Finland.
Rieley, J, Page, S E, and Setiadi, B. 1996. "Distribution of peatlands in Indonesia." Finland.
@misc{etde_508881,
title = {Distribution of peatlands in Indonesia}
author = {Rieley, J, Page, S E, and Setiadi, B}
abstractNote = {Indonesia contains between 160 and 270 000 km{sup 2} of peatland, mostly in the sub-coastal lowlands of Irian Jaya, Kalimantan and Sumatra; depth varies from 0.5 to more than 10 metres. Present day peat started to accumulate in response to very wet climatic conditions after the end of the last glacial period on waterlogged substrates of low nutrient status and oxygen deficiency. Coastal and basin peatlands were preceded by mangrove swamp; Yiigh peat (peat at a slightly higher elevation) was probably initiated in freshwater swamp. Dates of origin range from 800 to almost 5 000 years B.P. for the former and over 9 000 years B.P. for the latter. Lowland tropical peat is relatively homogeneous, consisting of trunks, branches and roots of trees; it is mainly fibric with low mineral content. Peat domes are ombrogenous with a water table close to or above the surface for most of the year. Lowland peat swamps support a zonation of forest types. The marginal, mixed swamp forest is dominated by high canopy trees whilst the interior `pole` forest consists of lower, smaller diameter trees. Indonesian peat swamp forests are an important reservoir of biodiversity; they contain several commercial tree species and provide a range of non-timber forest products. Almost 20 % of the peat swamp forests of Indonesia have been developed for agriculture and settlement. In their natural condition, however, they act as important water catchment and control systems, stabilize the landscape against erosion and maintain water quality for downstream riverine, estuarine and coastal fisheries. (orig.) (19 refs.)}
place = {Finland}
year = {1996}
month = {Dec}
}