Research Article Open Access

Comparison of Selected Chemical Properties of Peat Swamp Soil Before and After Timber Harvesting

Muhamad Ismawi Salimin, Seca Gandaseca, Osumanu Haruna Ahmed and Nik Muhamad Ab. Majid

Abstract

Problem statement: Peat swamp is an important component of the world’s wetlands. Once they are disturbed the tendency for the soil degradation is very high. This study compared selected chemical properties of a peat swamp soil before and after timber harvesting. Approach: Peat soil samples were taken at 0-15 cm depth in 6 plots with 0.1 ha each plot at Batang Igan forest at Sibu Sarawak, Malaysia. The soil samples were analyzed for selected soil chemical properties. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) version 9.2. Results: The tropical peat swamp forest indicate its specific natural state such as rich in soil pH KCl and except for C/N ratio, the selected chemical properties such as soil pH water, cation exchange capacity, soil organic matter, total carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and exchangeable potassium were significantly different between before and after timber harvesting. Conclusion: Timber harvesting has significant effect on chemical properties of peat swamp.

American Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 6 No. 2, 2010, 164-167

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2010.164.167

Submitted On: 16 April 2010 Published On: 30 April 2010

How to Cite: Salimin, M. I., Gandaseca, S., Ahmed, O. H. & Majid, N. M. A. (2010). Comparison of Selected Chemical Properties of Peat Swamp Soil Before and After Timber Harvesting. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 6(2), 164-167. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2010.164.167

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Keywords

  • Peat swamp forest
  • soil acidity
  • cation exchange capacity
  • soil organic matter
  • total carbon
  • total nitrogen
  • total phosphorus
  • exchangeable K and C/N ratio