Presented by Gusti Anshari, Professor of Soil Science, Tanjungpura University, at Webinar "A Synthesis and Way Forward", 17 December 2020. This presentation underlined the importance of peat carbon as one of the important elements in tropical peatland restoration. During the presentation, the speaker also proposed water management, peat thickness, and peat fire as potential criteria.

1. Peat carbon dynamics: Consideration for
effective restoration
(Session 2a)
Gusti Anshari
Universitas Tanjungpura

2. What is peat carbon?
o Peat carbon is organic carbon preserved in peat soil
(Histosols/Organosols)
o Peat carbon is slowly decomposed under a water-logged environment
o Deforestation, drainage, and fire are key factors that cause rapid
decomposition of peat carbon in Histosols
o Peat carbon accumulation: Rate of peat oxidation < rate of organic matter influx
o Peat carbon accounting:
𝑪𝑺 = 𝑩𝑫 𝒙 %𝑻𝑶𝑪 𝒙 𝑷𝑻 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎, 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆
CS = carbon stock 𝑡 𝐶 ℎ𝑎−1
; BD = bulk density 𝑔 𝑐𝑚−3
; TOC = total organic carbon (%);
PT = peat thickness (cm)

3. Principle 1 : Collecting adequate baseline data of high carbon stock in
Histosols/Organosols
Criteria Indicator
1. Land users monitor and record either
peat thickness or peat subsidence
a. A minimum yearly record of peat
thickness in sample plots
b. A minimum yearly record of peat
subsidence based on subsidence pole
plots
2. Land users measure bulk density,
organic matter, and total organic
carbon
a. A time series of bulk density, organic
matter and total organic carbon data
are available

4. Principle 2 : Carbon emission prevention
Criteria Indicator
1. Land users practice a good water management
scheme
a. High ground water table (< 40 cm) is
maintained all year
b. Drainage canal is properly maintained
c. No drainage is newly constructed
2. Land users prevent and control peat fire a. An early fire system warning is well
implemented
b. Active management of fire prevention,
training, and control,
3. Use of peat does not deplete high carbon
stock
a. The rate of peat subsidence is minimal, less
than 2 cm yr-1
b. Bulk density in peat surface (50-150 cm) does
not significantly increase, or indicate peat
compaction (BD < 0.12 g cm-3)
c. Organic matter value is >90%
d. TOC value is > 45%
e. TOC/TN ratio > 40