TY  - JOUR
AU  - Firdaus, Mohd Suffian 
AU  - Gandaseca, Seca 
AU  - Ahmed, Osumanu Haruna 
AU  - Majid, Nik Muhamad Ab. 
PY  - 2010
TI  - Effect of Converting Secondary Tropical Peat Swamp Forest into Oil Palm Plantation on Selected Peat Soil Physical Properties
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Sciences
VL  - 6
IS  - 4
DO  - 10.3844/ajessp.2010.402.405
UR  - https://thescipub.com/abstract/ajessp.2010.402.405
AB  - Problem statement: The conversion of forest land into oil palm plantation is considered to
be one of the causes of soil degradation and loss of tropical land forest in Southeast Asia. The
objective of this study was to compare selected peat soil physical properties of secondary tropical peat
swamp forest and oil palm plantation to determine the effect of forest conversion. Approach: Peat soil
samples were collected from secondary tropical peat swamp forest and oil palm plantation at Batang
Igan, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. Experimental plots of 300 m3 were set up in both sites and thirty peat
soil samples were collected randomly in both sites at 0-15 cm depth using a peat auger. Undisturbed
cores and bulk samples were collected for analysis of bulk density and moisture content. Fiber content
of the total mass of organic materials was determined by wet sieving method. Soil bulk density,
moisture content, organic matter, mineral content, soil porosity and particle density were determined
by standard procedures. Hydraulic conductivity was measured in the field using Model 2800K1
Guelph Permeameter and soil strength was determined using Hand Operated Cone Penetrometer
Eijkelkemp. Unpaired T-test was used to compare the variables of the two sites. Results: Both sites
had similar degree of decomposition classified as hemic peat. No significant differences in fiber
content, moisture content and particle density. Bulk density, mineral content and soil strength were
significantly higher in the oil palm plantation while organic matter content, porosity and saturated
hydraulic conductivity were significantly higher in the secondary tropical peat swamp forest.
Conclusion: Conversion of secondary tropical peat swamp forest to oil palm plantation has
significantly increased soil bulk density, mineral content and soil strength but significantly decreased
organic matter content, porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity. However, degree of
decomposition, fiber content, moisture content and particle density were not affected by the
conversion.