PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Carbon Footprint Assessment in Acacia crassicarpa Plantation Forests on Peatlands by Quantifying Emission Sources and Mitigation Potential

Ambar Tri Ratnaningsih, Sukendi, Thamrin, and Besri Nasrul Abstract Peatland forestry plantations significantly contribute to carbon dynamics, yet long-term carbon emissions from industrial timber plantations remain understudied. This study quantifies CO₂ emissions from peat subsidence, soil respiration following fertilization, logging residue decomposition, and fossil fuel combustion in an Acacia crassicarpa plantation in Siak Regency, Riau, Indonesia. Carbon emissions were measured through field observations and empirical models. The total peat carbon stock in the 43,538 ha study area was 137.733 megatons, equivalent to 505.023 megatons CO₂e. Peat subsidence rates from 2021 to 2023 averaged 0.29 cm/year, resulting in 3.058 tons CO₂e/ha annually. Fertilization-induced soil respiration contributed 2.552 × 10⁻⁴ tons CO₂e/ha/year, leading to 42.139 tons CO₂e over 20 years. Logging residue decomposition released 2.002 tons CO₂e/ha, with a 20-year cumulative emission of 280,984.70 tons CO₂e. Fossil fuel use required 4.02 liters per ton of wood, contributing 5,192.319 tons CO₂e per harvest cycle. Over 20 years, total emissions from all sources were substantial, highlighting peat subsidence as the dominant contributor. Optimizing fertilization practices, managing logging residues, and improving fuel efficiency could mitigate emissions. Future research should explore carbon sequestration strategies such as alternative fertilization, residue utilization, and water table management for sustainable peatland forestry. Keywords: carbon footprint; Acacia crassicarpa; peatland; carbon emissions; sustainable forestry

Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, Volume 48, Issue 6, November 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47836/jtas.48.6.12

Keywords: carbon footprint; Acacia crassicarpa; peatland; carbon emissions; sustainable forestry

Published on: 2025-11-25