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Ledger, MJ, Evans, CD, Large, DJ, Evers, S, Brown, C, Jovani-Sancho, AJ, Callaghan, N, Vane, CH, Marshall, C, Baskaran, A, Gan, JY, Sowter, A, Morrison, K and Sjögersten, S (2023) Tropical peat surface oscillations are a function of peat condition at North Selangor peat swamp forest, Malaysia. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11.
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Tropical peat surface oscillations are a function of peat condition at North Selangor peat swamp forest, Malaysia.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (3MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Tropical peatland condition across southeast Asia is deteriorating as a result of conversion to agriculture and urban zones. Conversion begins by lowering the water table, which leads to peat decomposition, subsidence and increased risk of large-scale forest fires. Associated changes in mechanical peat properties impact the magnitude and timing of changes in peatland surface motion, making them a potential proxy for peatland condition. However, such a relationship is yet to be observed in a tropical peatland setting. This study aimed to establish whether patterns of tropical peatland surface motion were a function of peat condition at North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest in Selangor, Malaysia. Results showed that subsidence was greatest at fire-affected scrubland sites, whilst the lowest mean water table levels were found at smallholder oil palm sites. Peat condition and magnitude of tropical peat surface oscillation were significantly different between peat condition classes, whilst peat condition differed with depth. More degraded tropical peats with high bulk density throughout the peat profile due to high surface loading and low mean water table levels showed greater surface oscillation magnitudes. The dominant peat surface oscillation mechanisms present at all sites were compression and shrinkage from changes in water table level. Mean water table level and subsidence rate were related to surface oscillation magnitude. However further work towards measuring surface and within-water table range bulk densities and surface loading is required to better understand the controls on surface oscillation magnitudes.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | 0502 Environmental Science and Management |
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences |
| Divisions: | Biological & Environmental Sciences (from Sep 19) |
| Publisher: | Frontiers Media |
| SWORD Depositor: | A Symplectic |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Sep 2024 13:40 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Sep 2024 13:45 |
| DOI or ID number: | 10.3389/fenvs.2023.1182100 |
| URI: | https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/24225 |
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