A study on the effect of blocking drainage canal on the hydrological and physicochemical characteristics of a tropical peat soil was carried out in Block C of the ex Mega Rice Project area in Central Kalimantan. Soil properties were compared between the blocked (upstream) and unblocked (downstream) areas. Properties of peat soil under relatively pristine condition were also studied. Sampling distances from the canal were 50 m, 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m and soil samples were taken from the 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm, 40-60 cm, 60-80 cm and 80-100 cm layers. One year after the canal blocking, some changes were observed. In the blocked area groundwater tables were higher, and ash content and available N (NH4~+ and NO3~-) were lower compared to the unblocked areas. This is thought to be due to decreased peat soil decomposition and mineralisation rates. Hence, drainage canal blocking appeared to create conditions conducive to peatland restoration.
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