Peatland and its function for the environment, these types and characteristics that must be known
Have you ever stepped on the ground that feels soft, wet, even slightly swaying? If so, chances are you’re in the thick of it!
This land is not just an ordinary wetland, but an ecosystem rich in organic matter and has a crucial role in maintaining environmental balance.
From storing huge amounts of carbon to being home to rare species, peatlands hold many interesting facts that are rarely known. However, behind its tremendous benefits, this ecosystem also faces serious threats due to human activities.
Let’s take a closer look at what peatlands are, how they are formed, and why their preservation is so important to our lives!
Understanding Peatland
According to Wetlands International, peatland is a type of wetland that has a watery soil layer and is composed of dead plant material that undergoes a slow decay process.
Meanwhile, Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia (KBBI) defines peatland as land formed from litter, wet plant residues, or rotting puddles and undergoes a very slow decomposition process.
Peatlands are formed through the accumulation of organic matter derived from decaying plant remains over thousands of years. This process occurs in waterlogged environments, such as swamps, river basins and coastal areas.
Menurut buku Creating and Restoring Wetlands (Second Edition) karya Christopher Craft (2022), lahan gambut dapat terbentuk dari berbagai jenis vegetasi, termasuk lumut gambut (Sphagnum), tumbuhan herba, serta vegetasi berkayu.
Because it is formed in an oxygen-poor environment (anaerobic), the organic matter in peat does not decompose completely. The decomposition process, which proceeds very slowly, leads to the accumulation of a large amount of organic matter, thereby forming a thick layer of peat.
Types of peatlands
Peatlands are classified into several types based on location, formation environment, maturity, fertility, and depth.
Types of peat by location
1. Coastal peat
Coastal peat forms around coastal areas and is affected by sea tides. This type of peat gets additional minerals from sea water, so it has unique characteristics compared to other types of peat. The dominant vegetation in this area is mangrove forest.
2. Inland peat
Inland peat is formed far from the coastline and is affected only by rainwater. Unlike coastal peat, this type does not receive mineral enrichment from the sea. Vegetation growing on inland peatlands is dominated by broadleaf Woodlands.
3. Transitional turf
As the name implies, transitional peat is formed between the coastal and inland areas. This type has characteristics that are a combination of coastal peat and inland peat, both in terms of soil composition and vegetation growing on it.
Typesof peat based on their formation environment
1. Topogen peat
Topogenous peat is formed in areas of basins or lakes that are directly above mineral soils. The process of its formation is influenced by river water runoff and sea tides.
2. Ombrogen peat
In contrast to topogenous peat, ombrogen peat is formed mainly due to precipitation without significant influence from river or sea water. This type of peat is commonly found in regions not far from the coast.
& nbsp;types of peat based on the level of maturity
1. Saprik peat
Sapric peat is the most mature type of peat. The organic matter in it has undergone complete weathering so that its origin is difficult to identify. The color of this peat varies from dark brown, gray, to black. In texture, sapric peat is smoother than other types of peat.
2. Fibrous peat
Fibric peat is peat that is still young and has not undergone complete weathering. The original material can still be easily identified. The structure of fibrous peat is dominated by coarse fibers with a brown tint.
3. Hemic peat
Hemic peat is a type of semi-mature peat, where some of the organic material has been weathered but there are still parts that can be recognized. The texture is somewhere between Fine sapric peat and coarse fibrous peat. The color of hemic peat is generally Brown.
JEnis peat by level of fertility
1. Eutrophic
This type of peat has a high fertility rate because it is rich in minerals, bases and nutrients. Eutrophic peat is often found in areas that receive mineral supplies from river water or sea tides.
2. Mesotrophic
Mesotrophic Peat has a moderate fertility rate, with a mineral and alkaline content that is not very high but still sufficient to support vegetation growth.
3. Oligotrophic
Oligotrophic peat is the least fertile type of peat because it is poor in minerals and nutrients. This type is generally found in areas that only get water supply from rainfall, without additional minerals from other sources.
JEnis peat by depth
1. Shallow peat
Peatland that has a thickness of between 50-100 cm. This type can generally still be used for agriculture with certain management techniques.
2. Medium peat
Peatland with a thickness of between 100-200 cm. This type of peat begins to contain thicker organic matter and requires special treatment if it is to be used for agricultural or plantation activities.
3. Deep peat
Peatland that has a thickness of between 200-300 cm. This type stores more carbon and tends to be more susceptible to degradation if dried or used unsustainably.
4. Very deep peat
Peatland with a thickness of more than 300 cm. This type has a very high organic matter content and plays an important role in global carbon storage. Very deep peat should still be preserved to maintain ecosystem balance.
Characteristics Of Peatlands
Peatlands have unique characteristics from other lands. The characteristics of peatlands are as follows.
- Thick, soft soil: peatlands are characterized by a thick, soft, dark brown to black layer of soil.
- Acidic: the peatland environment has a high level of acidity due to the accumulation of organic matter that decomposes slowly in anaerobic conditions (lack of oxygen).
- Inhabited by many peat moss (Sphagnum): peatlands are the main habitat for Sphagnum, a type of moss with a high absorption capacity that plays a role in maintaining soil moisture.
- Diversity of flora and fauna: peatlands support biodiversity with many species of plants and animals that are able to adapt to wet environments.
- Limited drainage: peatlands have a poor drainage system, so the soil remains water-saturated for a long time, especially during the rainy season or growing crops.
- Thick layer of organic matter: peat soils are made up of accumulated organic matter, mainly plant remains that decompose over thousands of years.
- Waterlogged soils: because they form in areas with high groundwater levels, peatlands are often in a waterlogged condition.
- Diverse vegetation: peatlands support a variety of vegetation types, including peat-forming vegetation, herbaceous plants, and woody vegetation such as trees typical of swamp forests.
Peatland Functions
Peatlands have an important role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems and human life. Here are some of the main functions of peatlands:
1. Carbon storage and climate change control
Peatlands serve as the world’s largest absorber and store of carbon. A thick layer of peat contains organic matter that has not yet been completely decomposed, so it is capable of storing large amounts of carbon. If peatlands are damaged or burned, the stored carbon will be released into the atmosphere in the form of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (chī), which can accelerate climate change.
2. Maintaining hydrological balance
Peatlands act as natural sponges that absorb and store large amounts of water. Its ability to regulate water helps reduce the risk of flooding during the rainy season and maintain the availability of water during the dry season.
3. Habitat for biodiversity
Peatlands are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including rare and endemic species such as orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and hornbills. In addition, peat ecosystems also support the growth of various types of typical plants, such as ramin (Gonystylus bancanus) and jelutung (Dyera costulata).
4. Supporting community livelihoods
For people living around peatlands, this ecosystem is a source of livelihood, both through non-timber forest products (such as rattan and forest honey) and environmentally friendly fishing and farming activities.
5. Natural water filter
Peatlands have the ability to filter water naturally by retaining pollutant particles and maintaining groundwater quality. This helps to keep water sources clean for ecosystems and humans.
6. Prevent seawater intrusion
In coastal areas, peatlands serve as natural fortifications that help prevent seawater from entering the mainland. This is important to maintain the balance of freshwater ecosystems and prevent agricultural land degradation due to salinization.
Cover
Peatlands have a very important role in maintaining ecosystem balance, storing carbon, regulating the water cycle, and being a habitat for various flora and fauna. In addition, peatlands also support the lives of surrounding communities by providing natural resources of economic value.
However, threats to peatlands, such as land conversion, fires, and unsustainable draining, can lead to serious environmental impacts, including increased greenhouse gas emissions and loss of biodiversity. Therefore, the preservation and wise management of peatlands is needed so that the benefits can continue to be felt by future generations.
By understanding the function and importance of peatlands, it is expected that awareness of efforts to preserve this ecosystem will increase, both at the individual, community, and government levels.
Sources and references:
- Craft, Christopher, 2022, Creating and Restoring Wetlands (Second Edition), ScienceDirect,
- The Fact about Peatlands, Pusat Penelitian Kehutanan Internasional dan Pusat Penelitian Agroforestri Dunia (CIFOR-ICRAF),
- Peatland, Illinois Department of Natural Resources,
- What are Peatlands? Forest Carbon,
- Featured image: Lahan Gambut (Pixabay.com/Lipponen)