Carbon Biomass Microbial And Cellulolytic Microbes In Peat Soil Materials With Various Types Of Use In Humbang Hasundutan Regency

Carbon Biomass Microbial and Cellulolytic Microbes in Peat Soils in Humbang Hasundutan Regency: A Study on Various Types of Land Use

Introduction

Peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency are a unique and valuable natural resource, but most of them are being converted for agriculture, leading to degradation and loss of their ecological functions. The use of peat soil in agriculture not only affects carbon storage but also plays a significant role in the decomposition process carried out by microbes, which produces gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), contributing to increased greenhouse gases. This study aims to analyze the carbon biomass microbial and cellulolytic microbes in peat soils by considering five types of land use: coffee land, onion land, paddy fields, open land that is not used for agriculture, and grass vegetation land.

Background

Peatlands are a type of wetland that stores significant amounts of carbon in the form of peat, a type of soil made up of partially decayed plant matter. The peat soil in Humbang Hasundutan Regency is rich in organic matter, which is essential for maintaining soil fertility and supporting plant growth. However, the conversion of peatlands for agriculture has led to the degradation of these ecosystems, resulting in the loss of carbon storage and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Methodology

This study was conducted in Humbang Hasundutan Regency, where five types of land use were selected for analysis: coffee land, onion land, paddy fields, open land that is not used for agriculture, and grass vegetation land. The observed parameters included organic carbon content (C-organic), carbon microbial biomass, respiration rate, and cellulolytic microbial isolation. The study used a combination of field observations, laboratory analysis, and statistical methods to analyze the data.

Research Results and Findings

The results of this study showed that open land that was not converted for agriculture had the highest C-organic content, which was 22.05%, with microbial carbon biomass reaching 2,909 µg g⁻¹ soil. Conversely, peatlands that were converted into coffee land showed the lowest C-organic content, which was 5.23%, and microbial carbon biomass, which was only 348 µg g⁻¹ soil. Decreased organic matter content and carbon biomass population were also observed on lands that were converted for rice, onions, and grass.

The highest respiration rate was measured on peatlands that were converted into coffee land, with an insitu respiration rate of 39.77 mg C-Co₂ G⁻¹ Hari⁻¹ and EXTITUAN RESPIRATION 43.89 mg C-Co₂ G⁻¹ Hari⁻¹. This was in line with the highest cellulolytic microbial population, which was 20.72 x 10⁴ CFU/G for mushrooms and 10.45 x 10⁴ CFU/G for bacteria. Conversely, peatlands that were not used for agriculture recorded the lowest respiration rate with a value of 9.33 mg C-Co₂ G⁻¹ Hari⁻¹ for Insitu and 10.29 mg C-Co₂ G⁻¹ Hari⁻¹ for the exit, as well as the lowest cellulolytic microbial population.

Identification and Quality of Cellulolytic Microbes

In this study, five species of bacteria, namely Bukholderia Lata, Bukholderia Arboris, Bukholderia Cenocepacia, Enterobacter, and Serratia sp., were identified. In addition, six species of fungus that were successfully identified were Talaromyces sp, Talaromyces Pinophilus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma Longibrachiatum, and Meyerozyma Caribica. The qualitative test of microbes showed the absence of superior isolates based on clear zones produced.

Research Implications

The results of this study indicate that the conversion of peatlands for agriculture has a significant impact on changes in the content of organic matter and the population of carbon biomass microbes and cellulolithic microbes. The decrease in the content of C-organic and microbial biomass shows that changes in land use not only affect soil fertility but also have the potential to increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Understanding the impact of peatlands use is very important to formulate a sustainable land management strategy. Given the important role of peat soil in carbon storage and mitigation of climate change, further attention is needed to maintain the balance of the ecosystem in this area and maximize its benefits for agriculture without damaging the environment.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency and the need to conserve and manage these ecosystems sustainably. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the impact of land use changes on carbon biomass microbial and cellulolytic microbes in peat soils. The findings of this study can be used to inform policy and management decisions related to peatland conservation and sustainable land use.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

1. Conserve and protect peatlands: Efforts should be made to conserve and protect peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency, including the establishment of protected areas and sustainable land use practices.
2. Implement sustainable land use practices: Sustainable land use practices, such as agroforestry and permaculture, should be implemented to reduce the impact of land use changes on carbon biomass microbial and cellulolytic microbes in peat soils.
3. Monitor and evaluate the impact of land use changes: Regular monitoring and evaluation of the impact of land use changes on carbon biomass microbial and cellulolytic microbes in peat soils should be conducted to inform policy and management decisions.
4. Promote education and awareness: Education and awareness programs should be implemented to raise awareness about the importance of peatlands and the impact of land use changes on carbon biomass microbial and cellulolytic microbes in peat soils.

By implementing these recommendations, it is possible to conserve and manage peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency sustainably, while also maximizing their benefits for agriculture and mitigating the impact of climate change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Carbon Biomass Microbial and Cellulolytic Microbes in Peat Soils in Humbang Hasundutan Regency

Q: What are carbon biomass microbial and cellulolytic microbes?

A: Carbon biomass microbial and cellulolytic microbes are microorganisms that play a crucial role in the decomposition process of organic matter in peat soils. They are responsible for breaking down complex organic compounds into simpler forms, releasing carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere.

Q: Why are peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency important?

A: Peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency are important because they store significant amounts of carbon in the form of peat, a type of soil made up of partially decayed plant matter. They also provide habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

Q: What is the impact of land use changes on carbon biomass microbial and cellulolytic microbes in peat soils?

A: The results of this study show that land use changes, such as the conversion of peatlands for agriculture, can have a significant impact on the content of organic matter and the population of carbon biomass microbes and cellulolytic microbes in peat soils. Decreased organic matter content and carbon biomass population were observed on lands that were converted for rice, onions, and grass.

Q: What are the implications of the findings of this study?

A: The findings of this study indicate that the conversion of peatlands for agriculture has a significant impact on changes in the content of organic matter and the population of carbon biomass microbes and cellulolytic microbes in peat soils. The decrease in the content of C-organic and microbial biomass shows that changes in land use not only affect soil fertility but also have the potential to increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Q: What can be done to conserve and manage peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency sustainably?

A: Efforts should be made to conserve and protect peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency, including the establishment of protected areas and sustainable land use practices. Regular monitoring and evaluation of the impact of land use changes on carbon biomass microbial and cellulolytic microbes in peat soils should also be conducted to inform policy and management decisions.

Q: What are the benefits of conserving and managing peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency sustainably?

A: The benefits of conserving and managing peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency sustainably include maintaining the balance of the ecosystem, maximizing the benefits of peatlands for agriculture, and mitigating the impact of climate change.

Q: What are the challenges of conserving and managing peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency sustainably?

A: The challenges of conserving and managing peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency sustainably include the need for education and awareness about the importance of peatlands, the need for policy and management decisions that prioritize the conservation and management of peatlands, and the need for resources and funding to support conservation and management efforts.

Q: What can individuals do to contribute to the conservation and management of peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency?

A: Individuals can contribute to the conservation and management of peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency by spreading awareness about the importance of peatlands, supporting organizations that work to conserve and manage peatlands, and making sustainable choices in their daily lives.

Q: What is the future of peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency?

A: The future of peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency is uncertain, but it is clear that conservation and management efforts are necessary to maintain the balance of the ecosystem and maximize the benefits of peatlands for agriculture. With continued education, awareness, and support, it is possible to conserve and manage peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency sustainably for future generations.