Ecology Lecture 9
- Created by: emmawilliams
- Created on: 04-04-17 15:50
Peat: organic matter accumulated over thousands of years storing carbon in thick layers
Tropical peat swamp forests in Southeast Asia
Only “discovered” in the 1920s-1930s. Peat formed from woody vegetation
Excessive rainfall + lack of drainage = continuous wet conditions
Ombrogenous = raised domes
• receives water only by rain
• oligotrophic (nutrient deficient)
• pH 4 or lower
• lower primary productivity
• Dome acts as a reservoir and has its own raised water table
Main drivers of formation:
• High water tables – anaerobic (low O2) soil conditions inhibit microbial decomposition
• Low nutrient environment means plants fight to survive so produce toxins in leaves which further inhibit microbial activity
• Primary productivity remains high, out weighing the low decomposition
Congo basin
High biodiversity
- 11% of plants (mostly trees) recorded from TPSF are restricted to this habitat
• Distinct species composition in different swamp areas
Key role in the water cycle
• Globally 10% of all freshwater
• Source areas of many rivers
• Important for water storage and supply
• Crucial for mitigation of droughts and floods
Critical components for peatland function
• Peat / C storage ultimately a function of decomposition rates:
• Low O2 /high water tables
• Vegetation with high lignin/tannins/toxins (forest inputs often…
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