Peat Soil

Peat is a wetland ecosystem characterized by the accumulation of organic matter

over a long period of time. This accumulation occurs due to the slow decomposition
compared to the rate of accumulation of organic matter.
Some things related to the characteristics and ecological role of peat swamp
forests that need to be considered before determining the strategic management of
peat swamp forests are:
1. Peat swamp forest is a wet tropical rainforest formation that has a very high level
of humidity, is an ecosystem that is very vulnerable to external disturbances and
difficult to recover with a high level of biodiversity. Silvicultural systems by
relying on natural forest successionhave shown more success.
2. Dry peatlands have irreversible dry properties and are highly flammable,
subsurface peat fires will be very difficult to extinguish and can damage peat
structure, reduce the level of permeability in the surface layer and can cause
peatlands to become compacted and reduce the heightof peat dome land levels.
3. Peat plays a huge role in storing carbon; Drying and fire will blow carbonbonds
into the air.
4. There are two forms of swampland land systems, namely: alluvial marine with
mineral soil texture with a thin layer of peat, and back swamp which forms a
peat dome withthicker peat circulation.
5. Canalization can pose a risk of drought if not balanced withgood and correct
water control.
6. Rehabilitation of already severely damaged peat swamp forest areas is very
difficult and expensive, so the funds cannot be provided only from the
government budget or community participation/self-help
Reference:
Zulfikar. 2006. Peat Swamp Forest Area Management Policy with KPH Pattern in
South Sumatra Province. In: Rimbawanto et al. (ed). Proceedings of the
Seminar on Wise and Integrated Forest and Swampland Management. Center
for Research and Development of Plantation Forests, Forestry Research and
Development Agency. p 7-13.