ABSTRACT
Peatlands are globally recognized for their high carbon stock. Worldwide estimates of soil carbon stocks have improved in the last decade due to the availability of large soil datasets and wide application of digital topsoil mapping. However, most mapping studies focus on mineral soils and do not include peatlands, leading to uncertainties in the global estimates. To reduce this knowledge gap, digital mapping techniques should be applied to peatlands. This study reviewed the controls of peatland distribution along with mapping in Indonesia. Open digital mapping techniques were introduced and demonstrated for charting peat thickness in Bengkalis Island in Indonesia. The approach makes use of the abundance of satellite data currently available in an open-access format. Additionally, it utilizes a range of machine learning algorithms in an open-source computing environment for mapping peatlands. It is upheld for transparency in the procedures, making it reputable and accountable. Due to its open nature, the method is scalable and appropriate for countries in tropical regions such as Indonesia. Field work and computer modelling can be executed in parallel for different regions and thus enhance the availability of high-quality peat information.
