Effects of hydrological regime and anthropogenic disturbances on the characteristics of the Inongo peatlands (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Keywords:
Tropical peatlands, hydrological regime, anthropogenic disturbances, Congo BasinAbstract
The peatlands of the Congo Basin store enormous amounts of carbon but are vulnerable to climate change and human pressures that affect their biogeochemical balance. This study aims to assess the effects of the hydrological regime and human disturbances on the physicochemical and ecological characteristics of the Inongo peatlands within the Ecosystems Restoration Associates-Congo forest concession. Data were collected from 18 sampling sites. Peat depth, pH, water table level, flood marks, and canopy openness were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson’s correlations, linear regression, and principal component analysis. The peatlands are deep (average depth of 166.89 cm) and highly acidic (average pH of 4.06). The significant negative correlation between flood marks and canopy cover may indicate that the extent of flooding affects forest architecture by promoting an open canopy. The vertical decomposition of organic matter likely varies with historical water fluctuations, while burn scars do not appear to have a significant effect on the peat. The Inongo peatland is a robust ombrotrophic ecosystem capable of surviving current fires, but this is only possible if it remains within its natural hydrological regime to prevent the massive release of carbone .
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