Recycling of phenolic compounds in Borneo’s tropical peat swamp forests
Abstract Background Tropical peat swamp forests (TPSF) are globally significant carbon stores, sequestering carbon mainly as phenolic polymers and phenolic compounds (particularly as lignin and its derivatives) in peat layers, in plants, and in the acidic blackwaters. Previous studies show that TPSF...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-02-01
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| Series: | Carbon Balance and Management |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13021-018-0092-6 |
| _version_ | 1811255600655368192 |
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| author | Catherine M. Yule Yau Yan Lim Tse Yuen Lim |
| author_facet | Catherine M. Yule Yau Yan Lim Tse Yuen Lim |
| author_sort | Catherine M. Yule |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Tropical peat swamp forests (TPSF) are globally significant carbon stores, sequestering carbon mainly as phenolic polymers and phenolic compounds (particularly as lignin and its derivatives) in peat layers, in plants, and in the acidic blackwaters. Previous studies show that TPSF plants have particularly high levels of phenolic compounds which inhibit the decomposition of organic matter and thus promote peat accumulation. The studies of phenolic compounds are thus crucial to further understand how TPSF function with respect to carbon sequestration. Here we present a study of cycling of phenolic compounds in five forests in Borneo differing in flooding and acidity, leaching of phenolic compounds from senescent Macaranga pruinosa leaves, and absorption of phenolics by M. pruinosa seedlings. Results The results of the study show that total phenolic content (TPC) in soil and leaves of three species of Macaranga were highest in TPSF followed by freshwater swamp forest and flooded limestone forest, then dry land sites. Highest TPC values were associated with acidity (in TPSF) and waterlogging (in flooded forests). Moreover, phenolic compounds are rapidly leached from fallen senescent leaves, and could be reabsorbed by tree roots and converted into more complex phenolics within the leaves. Conclusions Extreme conditions—waterlogging and acidity—may facilitate uptake and synthesis of protective phenolic compounds which are essential for impeded decomposition of organic matter in TPSF. Conversely, the ongoing drainage and degradation of TPSF, particularly for conversion to oil palm plantations, reverses the conditions necessary for peat accretion and carbon sequestration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T17:26:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6a45432c10274ce8b8354044e46fb755 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1750-0680 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T17:26:16Z |
| publishDate | 2018-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Carbon Balance and Management |
| spelling | doaj.art-6a45432c10274ce8b8354044e46fb7552022-12-22T03:23:17ZengBMCCarbon Balance and Management1750-06802018-02-0113111410.1186/s13021-018-0092-6Recycling of phenolic compounds in Borneo’s tropical peat swamp forestsCatherine M. Yule0Yau Yan Lim1Tse Yuen Lim2School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine CoastTropical Medicine and Biology Multidisciplinary Platform, School of Science, Monash UniversityTropical Medicine and Biology Multidisciplinary Platform, School of Science, Monash UniversityAbstract Background Tropical peat swamp forests (TPSF) are globally significant carbon stores, sequestering carbon mainly as phenolic polymers and phenolic compounds (particularly as lignin and its derivatives) in peat layers, in plants, and in the acidic blackwaters. Previous studies show that TPSF plants have particularly high levels of phenolic compounds which inhibit the decomposition of organic matter and thus promote peat accumulation. The studies of phenolic compounds are thus crucial to further understand how TPSF function with respect to carbon sequestration. Here we present a study of cycling of phenolic compounds in five forests in Borneo differing in flooding and acidity, leaching of phenolic compounds from senescent Macaranga pruinosa leaves, and absorption of phenolics by M. pruinosa seedlings. Results The results of the study show that total phenolic content (TPC) in soil and leaves of three species of Macaranga were highest in TPSF followed by freshwater swamp forest and flooded limestone forest, then dry land sites. Highest TPC values were associated with acidity (in TPSF) and waterlogging (in flooded forests). Moreover, phenolic compounds are rapidly leached from fallen senescent leaves, and could be reabsorbed by tree roots and converted into more complex phenolics within the leaves. Conclusions Extreme conditions—waterlogging and acidity—may facilitate uptake and synthesis of protective phenolic compounds which are essential for impeded decomposition of organic matter in TPSF. Conversely, the ongoing drainage and degradation of TPSF, particularly for conversion to oil palm plantations, reverses the conditions necessary for peat accretion and carbon sequestration.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13021-018-0092-6TanninsFlavonoidsPhenolic recyclingMacaranga pruinosaMalaysia |
| spellingShingle | Catherine M. Yule Yau Yan Lim Tse Yuen Lim Recycling of phenolic compounds in Borneo’s tropical peat swamp forests Carbon Balance and Management Tannins Flavonoids Phenolic recycling Macaranga pruinosa Malaysia |
| title | Recycling of phenolic compounds in Borneo’s tropical peat swamp forests |
| title_full | Recycling of phenolic compounds in Borneo’s tropical peat swamp forests |
| title_fullStr | Recycling of phenolic compounds in Borneo’s tropical peat swamp forests |
| title_full_unstemmed | Recycling of phenolic compounds in Borneo’s tropical peat swamp forests |
| title_short | Recycling of phenolic compounds in Borneo’s tropical peat swamp forests |
| title_sort | recycling of phenolic compounds in borneo s tropical peat swamp forests |
| topic | Tannins Flavonoids Phenolic recycling Macaranga pruinosa Malaysia |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13021-018-0092-6 |
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