PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Drainage and deforestation of tropical peat swamp forests (PSF) in Southeast Asia cause carbon emissions and biodiversity loss of global concern. Restoration efforts to mitigate these impacts usually involve peatland rewetting by blocking canals. However, there have been no studies to date of the optimal rewetting approach that will reduce carbon emission whilst also promoting PSF regeneration. Here we present results of a large-scale restoration trial in Sumatra (Indonesia), monitored for 7.5 years. Water levels in a former plantation were raised over an area of 4800 ha by constructing 257 compacted peat dams in canals. We find peat surface subsidence rates in the rewetted restoration area and adjoining PSF to be halved where water tables were raised from ~ - 0.6 m to ~ - 0.3 m, demonstrating the success of rewetting in reducing carbon emission. A total of 57 native PSF tree species were found to spontaneously grow in the most rewetted conditions and in high densities, indicating that forest regrowth is underway. Based on our findings we propose that an effective PSF restoration strategy should follow stepwise rewetting to achieve substantial carbon emission reduction alongside unassisted regrowth of PSF, thereby enabling the peat, forest and canal vegetation to establish a new nature-based ecosystem balance.
摘要：
东南亚热带泥炭沼泽森林（PSF）的排水和森林砍伐导致全球关注的碳排放和生物多样性丧失。减轻这些影响的恢复工作通常涉及通过阻塞运河来重新润湿泥炭地。然而,迄今为止，还没有研究最佳的再润湿方法，这将减少碳排放，同时也促进PSF再生。在这里，我们介绍了在苏门答腊（印度尼西亚）进行的大规模恢复试验的结果，监测7.5年。通过在运河中建造257座压实泥炭坝，前种植园的水位提高了4800公顷。我们发现，在地下水位从〜-0.6m上升到〜-0.3m的地方，重新润湿的恢复区和毗邻的PSF中的泥炭地表沉降率减半，证明了再润湿在减少碳排放方面的成功。发现总共57种本地PSF树种在最湿润的条件和高密度下自发生长，表明森林正在再生。根据我们的发现，我们建议有效的PSF恢复策略应遵循逐步的再润湿，以实现大量的碳减排以及PSF的无辅助再生长。从而使泥炭，森林和运河植被建立了新的自然生态系统平衡。
