2018). Tropical peatlands represent an important component of this carbon stock and
can be found in Asia, Africa, and South and Central America. However, tropical
peatlands are also under severe threat of destruction from human activities, including
deforestation, agricultural expansion, and resource exploitation. Thus, the
eco-management system of tropical peatlands is urgently necessary; however, information on peatland ecosystems is limited, especially information on peatland formation. Here, we attempt to describe peatland ecosystems because processes that
counteract peatland formation will destroy peatlands quickly. The process of
peatland formation is characterized mainly by the water supply, which includes
nutrients and clay supplied from outside the ecosystem.
1.3.1 Peatland Formation in Ridge of Maritime Continent
of Southeast Asia
The maritime continent of Southeast Asia were continents called Sunda and Saihe
more than 12,000 years ago during the last glacial period. After the last glacial
period, the sea level increased due to global warming. Therefore, the mangrove,
seagrass, and coastal diversity in this area are by far the highest in the world,
Fig. 1.2 Scheme of the relationships between carbon and water in tropical peatlands (based on
“Tropical Peatland Ecosystems” eds. Osaki and Tsuji 2016)
8
M. Osaki et al.
can be found in Asia, Africa, and South and Central America. However, tropical
peatlands are also under severe threat of destruction from human activities, including
deforestation, agricultural expansion, and resource exploitation. Thus, the
eco-management system of tropical peatlands is urgently necessary; however, information on peatland ecosystems is limited, especially information on peatland formation. Here, we attempt to describe peatland ecosystems because processes that
counteract peatland formation will destroy peatlands quickly. The process of
peatland formation is characterized mainly by the water supply, which includes
nutrients and clay supplied from outside the ecosystem.
1.3.1 Peatland Formation in Ridge of Maritime Continent
of Southeast Asia
The maritime continent of Southeast Asia were continents called Sunda and Saihe
more than 12,000 years ago during the last glacial period. After the last glacial
period, the sea level increased due to global warming. Therefore, the mangrove,
seagrass, and coastal diversity in this area are by far the highest in the world,
Fig. 1.2 Scheme of the relationships between carbon and water in tropical peatlands (based on
“Tropical Peatland Ecosystems” eds. Osaki and Tsuji 2016)
8
M. Osaki et al.