Towards an improved understanding of greenhouse gas emissions and fluxes in tropical peatlands of Southeast Asia. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, Prashant; Adelodun, Adedeji A.; Khan, Md Firoz; Krisnawati, Haruni; Garcia-Menendez, Fernando
• Is Part Of: Sustainable cities and society. Volume 53(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Peatsoil -- Water management system -- Greenhouse gases -- Emission fluxes -- Global climate change; Sustainable urban development -- Periodicals; Sustainable buildings -- Periodicals; Urban ecology (Sociology) -- Periodicals; 307.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2019.101881
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2210-6707

Abstract

Highlights: GHG emissions from peatlands and their contributions towards global climate are assessed. Southeast Asia is a significant region for peatlands; their restoration can reduce GHG emissions. CO2 and N2 O emission fluxes from drainage, fire and agriculture areas are insufficiently known. Very little is known on drained peatlands and their GHG emission characterisation is required. Modern technology with traditional knowledge is important for peatland water management. Abstract: At present, there is insufficient data to understand the processes driving emissions and fluxes of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from tropical peatlands in Southeast Asia (SEA). In this review, we discuss fundamental factors controlling emissions of major GHGs (CO2, CH4, and N2 O) from tropical peatlands and their contribution to global climate change. Classifying peatlands in tropical and subtropical regions can aid in understanding their emission characteristics. The applicability of existing GHG emission factors to land use categories in SEA is discussed. We find that rewetting peatland can increase CH4 emissions, and therefore more studies are needed to establish whether peatlands act as a net sink or net sources of GHGs. Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of liming towards reducing peat soil acidity. The review also finds that there is limited data on CO2 concentrations in drainage and wildfire areas, N2 O fluxes in agriculture areas, and the impact and reduction of CH4 in tropical peatlands. Addressing these research gaps could support the development of a framework for GHG emission measurements and abatement in tropical peatlands.