Dr Fengky Florante Adji¹, Dr Zafrullah  Damanik¹, Dr Nina Yulianti¹, Dr Rony Teguh², Prof Komang Suastika³

¹Faculty of Agriculture, University Of Palangka Raya, Palangka Raya, Indonesia, ²Faculty of Engineering, University of Palangka Raya, Palangka Raya, Indonesia, ³Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Palangka Raya, Palangka Raya, Indonesia

Indonesia has the widest peatland among tropical countries, which is around 14.9 million ha (7.8%) of the total area of Indonesia (191.09 million ha). The area of peatland in Central Kalimantan is estimated to cover an area of 2.65 million ha or around 16.7% of the total area of Central Kalimantan Province (15,798 million ha) (BBSDLP, 2013). Peatlands have several strategic functions, such as hydrological functions, as a sequester of carbon (C) and biodiversity that are important for the comfort of the environment and animal life. The function change of peatland for other uses (agriculture), of course will cause changes in the condition of the land, related to the physical, chemical and biological properties of the land.

Peat land clearing, excessive drainage, and frequent fires are considered as contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are a “time bomb” for the environment in the next 50 – 100 years. Hooijer et al. (2006) estimate that Indonesia’s peatland contributes 2,000 Mega tons (Mt) of CO2 per year from total CO2 emissions of 3,000 Mt per year, thus placing Indonesia as the third highest GHG producer in the world after the United States of America and China. Regarding the blocking canal and rewetting effect that has not yet been obtained accurate data regarding its impact on peatlands.

The results obtained from this study are that the distance from the drainage canal shows a difference in ground water level as a result of the canal and the influence of blocking canals. However, water conditions in the upstream area are influenced by the presence of water (dam) construction, which caused altitudes to vary around 10 – 20 cm with downstream areas.

Biography:

my research interest is in carbon flux and dissolved carbon in tropical peatlands especially in burnt area and natural area. I have an experience in CO2, CH4, and N2O measurements by using chamber method and also have a kinds collaboration with others (institution) exp. BRG, CIFOR, USAID, JICA, Kyoto University, Hokkaido University, Fair venture Worldwide, local government, etc.