Peat soil degradation under coconut monoculture on Indonesian tropical peatlands

Andrian Perdana; Gian Juliano; Ahmad Imtaz Sumbari; Ahmad Alwi Azhari; Idwar Idwar; Gusmawartati Gusmawartati

doi:10.31849/jip.v23i2.31567

Authors

Andrian Perdana Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru 28293, Indonesia
Gian Juliano Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru 28293, Indonesia
Ahmad Imtaz Sumbari Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru 28293, Indonesia
Ahmad Alwi Azhari Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru 28293, Indonesia
Idwar Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru 28293, Indonesia
Gusmawartati Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru 28293, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31849/jip.v23i2.31567

Keywords:

bulk density increase, drainage-induced oxidation, land-use change, organic soil dynamics, smallholder agriculture

Abstract

The conversion of tropical peat swamp forests to agricultural systems is widely known to alter peat soil properties through drainage-induced oxidation and accelerated organic matter decomposition. However, field-based evidence on long-term coconut monoculture remains limited. This study evaluated changes in key peat soil properties under coconut monoculture on tropical peatlands in Indragiri Hilir, Riau, Indonesia. Field research used a survey approach with purposively selected sites representing coconut plantations and adjacent peat swamp forests as reference systems. Soil samples from 0–40 cm were analyzed for bulk density, water content, fiber content, soil organic carbon, and soil pH. Differences between land-use systems were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT). Peat soils under coconut monoculture showed higher bulk density and soil pH, while water content, fiber content, and soil organic carbon were lower than in peat swamp forest soils. Bulk density increased nearly threefold, accompanied by declines in organic carbon and fiber content, indicating accelerated peat decomposition and structural degradation. These results demonstrate that basic soil indicators provide a practical approach for assessing peat soil degradation in coconut-based peatland agriculture and highlight the need for management strategies balancing agricultural productivity with peatland conservation.

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