University of Helsinki has been a partner or leader in four international research teams studying tropical peatland functions, wise use of the tropical peat resource, and restoration of mismanaged topical peat integrity since 1999. The applied project, Â?Tropical Peat Biochemical Interactions with Acid Sulphate SoilsÂ? (TROPEASS) is lead by professor Harri Vasander. The research team incorporates expertise from five institutes;two from Indonesia, one from Vietnam, one from Germany, and two from Finland. The total amount of funding for four years period (2006-2009) is 625 000 Â?, and the work in the project covers 48 person years for the researchers employed by the project and 3.2 person years with other financing. Research training in this project is expected to result in 4-8 MSc-theses and 4-5 PhD-theses. The project areas are located in two countries, Indonesia (Central Kalimantan) and Vietnam (Mekong delta), which both have large areas of peat and acid sulphate soil (ASS). Agriculture or other extensive drainage demanding activities on peat underlain by acid sulphate soil is proven ecologically unsustainable and expensive. The drainage leads to loss of peat and the oxygen-exposed acidic horizon will oxidize releasing acids into peat remnants and drainage water, thus likely leading to severe environmental problems due to heavy acidity and high concentration of toxins in the soil solution. The ecological-, land management-, community related-, and economical problems connected to ASS are known, but the land reclamation process on potentially hazardous peatland areas has continued and neglected future problems with pyrite oxidation. Ecological significance of peat deposits on ASS needs to be studied in order to create tools for mitigation planning and preventing pitfalls of planning in the future. Specific research objectives can be divided into three categories;coverage and status, role and function, and future and restoration potential of peatlands on ASS. The central aims are to (i.) estimate current expanse and land use in peat covered acid sulphate soils, (ii.) estimate peat biochemical interactions with acids/toxins released by ASS in differing ecohydrological conditions and peat potential in immobilization (neutralization) of these substances, and (iii.) create timescales for peat area change and ASS activation in relation to current land use activities, and evaluate possibilities to restore (abandoned) mismanaged areas. This work focuses on clarification of forest ecosystem responses in acidic/toxic conditions created by ASS and its potential putative participation in protection of surrounding agri-/aquaculture from acidification effects. In reclaimed peat areas and abandoned lands the annual hydrological cycle, vegetation and the peat characteristics differ from forested areas, and this can be reflected on the biochemical interaction of peat and acids/toxins released by ASS. By comparing the reactions in forest and reclaimed areas it is possible to validate the environmental effects of these land use types. If forested ecosystems prove to have marked influence on reducing malicious effects of acidification in certain preconditions, it is possible to examine and valuate the rehabilitation potential of mismanaged abandoned ASS areas.
Vastaava tutkija
Rekilä Teppo Hankkeen kesto 2007 - 2010
Hankkeen vaihe: Päättynyt
HUOM! Tämä tutkimushankekuvaus on tuotettu Hankehaaviin Maa- ja elintarviketalouden tutkimuskeskuksen tutkimustietojärjestelmästä, jota ei enää ylläpidetä. Tarkista ajantaiset tutkimushanketiedot Luonnonvarakeskus Luken järjestelmästä.
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