Physical and Chemical Peatsoil Properties Assessment in Kampar Peninsular Region, Sumatera, Indonesia

Abstract

Forests and peat fires prior to agriculture use has become a perennial problem in Indonesia, especially in the last 20 years during the dry season. Most of that smoke originates from human activity - land use and land cover change (LULCC) i.e. illegal forests and peat land, slash and burn method during cultivation or plantation agriculture development, etc. In order to understand how big the burning impact to peat soil parameters change in those three different conditions i.e. before burning (naturally), seven days after burning and ninety days after burning in same site location, accordingly we conducted a study. This research was conducted in Teluk Meranti District, Kampar Peninsular Region, Sumatera, Indonesia. The study was carried out in January till December 2014. The research result showed that same physical and chemical parameters had changed significantly following burning compared to natural condition.