ANNOUNCEMENTS
Peatlands are terrestrial wetland ecosystems in which waterlogged conditions prevent plant material from fully decomposing. Consequently, the production of organic matter exceeds its decomposition, which results in a net accumulation of peat. In cool climates, peatland vegetation is mostly made up of Sphagnum mosses, sedges, and shrubs and is the primary builder of peat, whereas in warmer climates graminoids and woody vegetation provide most of the organic matter. Peatlands are also termed “organic soils” and it is the world’s most carbon-dense ecosystem and amount to 3% area of the earth’s surface. Hence it is important to conserve and manage these fragile ecosystems that have a very high potential for carbon sequestration. In India a comprehensive inventory of peatland is not very robust and the studies are patchy and not harmonized. According to the India Council of Agricultural Research, 2.17% of the country has a peat-covered land surface. This thesis work attempts to map peatlands using all the available literature in India that emphasizes peatlands and associated keywords.
A geospatial mapping exercise using multicriteria analysis is conducted for Miyar Basin in the Lahul Pangi region of Himachal Pradesh to determine the extent of potential peatlands using different thematic raster like the temporal changes in land use land cover, topography, soil organic carbon, bulk density, and water seasonality. This thesis work sets up a baseline inventory of peatlands across India through a systematic literature review and GIS mapping.
Keywords: Peatland, Soil organic carbon, Sphagnum moss, Coal, Miyar Basin.
