Heightened conservation efforts are needed to address threats posed by human activities to the Caimpugan Peatland, a vital carbon sink within the Agusan Marsh in northeastern Mindanao. Harold Jay Sumilhig, conservation biologist at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Agusan del Sur and Protected Area Management Office of the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, raised this concern during his presentation at the Environmental Summit on Thursday. The summit, part of the annual Magdiwata Festival, emphasized the importance of the Mt. Magdiwata Watershed as a source of potable water and a natural barrier during storms. Sumilhig warned that disturbances like drainage, land conversion, and fires could release carbon stored in peatlands, contributing to global warming. The Caimpugan Peatland faces threats from logging, agricultural expansion, and unsustainable land use, impacting both the environment and local livelihoods. In 2019, a fire burned 240 acres of peatland and swamp forests, highlighting the vulnerability of the area to fires during dry periods. Spanning over 5,000 hectares, the peatland stores 22.9 million metric tons of carbon, making it one of the Philippines’ largest carbon reservoirs. With a peat depth of 15 meters, it is believed to be around 15,000 years old. The Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary spans 19,196.56 hectares and contains 37 peatlands, with 11 confirmed and 26 probable. Peatlands like Caimpugan are vital carbon sinks, mitigating climate change by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide. Local authorities and conservationists are working to prevent further degradation and promote sustainable practices and awareness. (Chris V. Panganiban/MindaNews)
