Tropical Peat Formation

A summary of the peat formation process, and the classification and characterization of the peatlands in Southeast Asia, particularly those in Kalimantan in Indonesia was undertaken through a review of published studies. Based upon the location, mode of formation, and age of the peat deposits, ombrotrophic and eutrophic peatlands, or topogenous and ombrogenous peatlands are developed by the accumulation of plant debris in coastal and sub-coastal areas, inland areas and high altitude areas. In the areas along the coastline, the youngest peat formation started to occur between 3500 and 6000 years BP in response to the wet conditions generated by rising sea levels at the end of the last glacial period. In comparison, peat in inland peatland areas began to form much earlier, more than 20,000 years BP during the late Pleistocene era. Some tropical peatlands are likely to have been involved in the global carbon cycle before the initiation of boreal and temperate peatlands. One of the characteristics of the peatlands in Southeast Asia is the formation of a convex-shaped dome that formed beyond the extent of river floodwater and under rain-dependent conditions. This is known as ombrogenous peat.