Exploring spatial patterns of tropical peatland subsidence in Selangor, Malaysia using the APSIS-DInSAR technique

de la Barreda-Bautista, Betsabé; Ledger, Martha J.; Sjögersten, Sofie; Gee, David; Sowter, Andrew; Cole, Beth; Page, Susan E.; Large, David J.; Evans, Chris D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7052-354X; Tansey, Kevin J.; Evers, Stephanie; Boyd, Doreen S.. 2024 Exploring spatial patterns of tropical peatland subsidence in Selangor, Malaysia using the APSIS-DInSAR technique. Remote Sensing, 16 (12), 2249. 23, pp. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16122249

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs16122249

Abstract/Summary

Tropical peatlands in Southeast Asia have experienced widespread subsidence due to forest clearance and drainage for agriculture, oil palm and pulp wood production, causing concerns about their function as a long-term carbon store. Peatland drainage leads to subsidence (lowering of peatland surface), an indicator of degraded peatlands, while stability/uplift indicates peatland accumulation and ecosystem health. We used the Advanced Pixel System using the Intermittent SBAS (ASPIS-DInSAR) technique with biophysical and geographical data to investigate the impact of peatland drainage and agriculture on spatial patterns of subsidence in Selangor, Malaysia. Results showed pronounced subsidence in areas subjected to drainage for agricultural and oil palm plantations, while stable areas were associated with intact forests. The most powerful predictors of subsidence rates were the distance from the drainage canal or peat boundary; however, other drivers such as soil properties and water table levels were also important. The maximum subsidence rate detected was lower than that documented by ground-based methods. Therefore, whilst the APSIS-DInSAR technique may underestimate absolute subsidence rates, it gives valuable information on the direction of motion and spatial variability of subsidence. The study confirms widespread and severe peatland degradation in Selangor, highlighting the value of DInSAR for identifying priority zones for restoration and emphasising the need for conservation and restoration efforts to preserve Selangor peatlands and prevent further environmental impacts.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16122249
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	2072-4292
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	tropical peatlands, peatland subsidence, land cover change, APSIS, DInSAR, peatland management
Date made live:	21 Jun 2024 10:39 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/537611

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16122249

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

2072-4292

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

tropical peatlands, peatland subsidence, land cover change, APSIS, DInSAR, peatland management