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Impacts of Mauritia flexuosa degradation on the carbon stocks of freshwater peatlands in the Pastaza-Marañón river basin of the Peruvian Amazon

Author

Listed:
  • Rupesh Kumar Bhomia

    (University of Florida)

  • Jeffrey Lent

    (Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
    Wageningen UR)

  • Julio M. Grandez Rios

    (Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana (IIAP))

  • Kristell Hergoualc’h

    (Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR))

  • Eurídice N. Honorio Coronado

    (Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana (IIAP))

  • Daniel Murdiyarso

    (Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR))

Abstract

Tropical peat swamp forests (PSF) are characterized by high quantities of carbon (C) stored as organic soil deposits due to waterlogged conditions which slows down decomposition. Globally, Peru has one of the largest expanse of tropical peatlands, located primarily within the Pastaza-Marañón river basin in the Northwestern Peru. Peatland forests in Peru are dominated by a palm species—Mauritia flexuosa, and M. flexuosa-dominated forests cover ~ 80% of total peatland area and store ~ 2.3 Pg C. However, hydrologic alterations, land cover change, and anthropogenic disturbances could lead to PSF’s degradation and loss of valuable ecosystem services. Therefore, evaluation of degradation impacts on PSF’s structure, biomass, and overall C stocks could provide an estimate of potential C losses into the atmosphere as greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. This study was carried out in three regions within Pastaza-Marañón river basin to quantify PSF’s floristic composition and degradation status and total ecosystem C stocks. There was a tremendous range in C stocks (Mg C ha−1) in various ecosystem pools—vegetation (45.6–122.5), down woody debris (2.1–23.1), litter (2.3–7.8), and soil (top 1 m; 109–594). Mean ecosystem C stocks accounting for the top 1 m soil were 400, 570, and 330 Mg C ha−1 in Itaya, Tigre, and Samiria river basins, respectively. Considering the entire soil depth, mean ecosystem C stocks were 670, 1160, and 330 Mg C ha−1 in Itaya, Tigre, and Samiria river basins, respectively. Floristic composition and calcium to Magnesium (Ca/Mg) ratio of soil profile offered evidence of a site undergoing vegetational succession and transitioning from minerotrophic to ombrotrophic system. Degradation ranged from low to high levels of disturbance with no significant difference between regions. Increased degradation tended to decrease vegetation and forest floor C stocks and was significantly correlated to reduced M. flexuosa biomass C stocks. Long-term studies are needed to understand the linkages between M. flexuosa harvest and palm swamp forest C stocks; however, river dynamics are important natural drivers influencing forest succession and transition in this landscape.

Suggested Citation

  • Rupesh Kumar Bhomia & Jeffrey Lent & Julio M. Grandez Rios & Kristell Hergoualc’h & Eurídice N. Honorio Coronado & Daniel Murdiyarso, 2019. "Impacts of Mauritia flexuosa degradation on the carbon stocks of freshwater peatlands in the Pastaza-Marañón river basin of the Peruvian Amazon," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 645-668, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:masfgc:v:24:y:2019:i:4:d:10.1007_s11027-018-9809-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11027-018-9809-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. K. Hergoualc’h & L. Verchot, 2014. "Greenhouse gas emission factors for land use and land-use change in Southeast Asian peatlands," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 19(6), pages 789-807, August.
    2. Michael Palace & Michael Keller & Steve Frolking & George Hurtt, 2012. "A Review of Above Ground Necromass in Tropical Forests," Chapters, in: Padmini Sudarshana & Madhugiri Nageswara-Rao & Jaya Soneji (ed.), Tropical Forests, IntechOpen.
    3. Greta C. Dargie & Simon L. Lewis & Ian T. Lawson & Edward T. A. Mitchard & Susan E. Page & Yannick E. Bocko & Suspense A. Ifo, 2017. "Age, extent and carbon storage of the central Congo Basin peatland complex," Nature, Nature, vol. 542(7639), pages 86-90, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. C. Gabriel Hidalgo Pizango & Eurídice N. Honorio Coronado & Jhon del Águila-Pasquel & Gerardo Flores Llampazo & Johan de Jong & César J. Córdova Oroche & José M. Reyna Huaymacari & Steve J. Carver & D, 2022. "Sustainable palm fruit harvesting as a pathway to conserve Amazon peatland forests," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 5(6), pages 479-487, June.

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