MITIGATION EFFECT OF CO₂ FLUX AND PEAT FIRE RISK BY DRAINAGE CANAL WATER MANAGEMENT, IN TROPICAL PEAT AREA

Abstract

 Haze from Peat fire is serious transboundary problem in Indonesia and neighboring countries. In this study, CO₂ flux and peat fire risk reduction effect by water level controlling in drainage canal were evaluated. Firstly, meteorological data, ground water level and CO₂ flux data were monitored at Kepau Baru village in TebingTinggi Island, Riau Province. And then, ground water level and CO₂ flux estimation model were developed and applied. The calculated ground water level showed good agreement with observed data (NS>0.5). The accuracy of calculated CO₂ flux was 2.5 (tC/ha/year) for short term observed data and 5.5 (tC/ha/year) for long term observed data. By using the proposed model, the mitigation effect of water level controlling in drainage canal was estimated. In 100cm dam up case, CO₂ flux was reduced in 17.2%, and thickness of unsaturated peat layer was reduced 46.4%.