The ash content, which is responsible for the supply of mineral nutrients to microorganisms, was closely related to the biodegradability of tropical peat soil. Cation contents and their composition influenced the biodegradation of peat soils accumulated in the surface horizons.
Although the ash contents were extremely low in all peat soils (Table 1), those in the surface horizons were higher on the edge of the peat dome than in the center of the peat dome. It is likely that the tributaries bring a large amount of minerals to peatlands along the coast.
The ash content, which is responsible for the supply of mineral nutrients to microorganisms, was closely related to the biodegradability of tropical peat soil. Cation contents and their composition influenced the biodegradation of peat soils accumulated in the surface horizons.
Although the ash contents were extremely low in all peat soils (Table 1), those in the surface horizons were higher on the edge of the peat dome than in the center of the peat dome. It is likely that the tributaries bring a large amount of minerals to peatlands along the coast.