Degradation of tropical malaysian peatlands decreases levels of phenolics in soil and in leaves of macaranga pruinosa

Catherine M Yule; Y Y Lim; T Y Lim

doi:10.3389/feart.2016.00045

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Degradation of tropical malaysian peatlands decreases levels of phenolics in soil and in leaves of macaranga pruinosa

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Degradation of tropical malaysian peatlands decreases levels of phenolics in soil and in leaves of macaranga pruinosa

Catherine M Yule, Y Y Lim and T Y Lim

Frontiers in Earth Science, Vol.4, 45

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2016.00045

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Abstract

lignin

macaranga pruinosa

peatland drainage

phenolic compounds

tannin

tropical peat swamp forests

Indo-Malaysian tropical peat swamp forests (PSF) sequester enormous stores of carbon in the form of phenolic compounds, particularly lignin as well as tannins. These phenolic compounds are crucial for ecosystem functioning in PSF through their inter-related roles in peat formation and plant defenses. Disturbance of PSF causes destruction of the peat substrate, but the specific impact of disturbance on phenolic compounds in peat and its associated vegetation has not previously been examined. A scale was developed to score peatland degradation based on the three major human impacts that affect tropical PSF-logging, drainage, and fire. The objectives of this study were to compare the amount of phenolic compounds in Macaranga pruinosa, a common PSF tree, and in the peat substrate along a gradient of peatland degradation from pristine peat swamp forest to cleared, drained, and burnt peatlands. We examined phenolic compounds in M. pruinosa and in peat and found that levels of total phenolic compounds and total tannins decrease in the leaves of M.pruinosa and also in the surface peat layers with an increase in peatland degradation. We conclude that waterlogged conditions preserve the concentration of phenolic compounds in peat, and that even PSF that has been previously logged but which has recovered a full canopy cover will have high levels of total phenolic content (TPC) in peat. High levels of TPC in peat and in the flora are vital for the inhibition of decomposition of organic matter and this is crucial for the accretion of peat and the sequestration of carbon. Thus regional PSF flourish despite the phenolic rich, toxic, waterlogged, nutrient poor, conditions, and reversal of such conditions is a sign of degradation. © 2016 Yule, Lim and Lim.

Details

Title: Degradation of tropical malaysian peatlands decreases levels of phenolics in soil and in leaves of macaranga pruinosa
Authors: Catherine M Yule (Author) - Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
Y Y Lim (Author) - Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
T Y Lim (Author) - Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
Publication details: Frontiers in Earth Science, Vol.4, 45; 9
Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.3389/feart.2016.00045
ISSN: 2296-6463; 2296-6463
Copyright note: Copyright © 2016 Yule, Lim and Lim. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450741502621
Output Type: Journal article
Research Statement: false