Estimation of Carbon Stock in the Peat Soils of Bangladesh

Abstract

There are a very few study on the estimation of carbon stocks in the peat soils of Bangladesh. There are three categories of peat soils in Bangladesh: Sapric peat, Hemic peat and Fibric peat. A study was conducted in these three kinds of peat soils at 100 cm depths regarding their stock. The study shows that the carbon in peat soils is about 0.12 Pg whereas it was about 0.25 Pg during 1970s. So, it was found that soil organic carbon loss is alarming and it has been reduced by half during 50 years of agricultural intensification in Bangladesh. These peat soils are losing their carbon due to the decrease of inundation level by climate change, intensive agricultural use and even fuel use for cooking purposes by the local stakeholders. So, it is very much urgent to take steps in preserving the peat soils of Bangladesh. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 45(1): 127-136, June 2019