Peat is known for its importance as carbon storage. Peatlands in Malaysia, especially forest reserve areas, generally lack natural resources due to poor soil nutrients. Hence, many have been converted to plantations and industrialized areas. Peninsular-Malaysian peat properties are less studied in terms of physical and chemical properties. A total of 38 peat samples from 5 depths (surface, 1–50 cm, 51–100 cm, 101–150 cm, and 151–200 cm) from 10 locations around Peninsular-Malaysia were characterized for their physicochemical properties: moisture, organic matter, pH, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, humic acid content as well as FTIR characteristics. Results showed that moisture content ranges from 60.92% to 94.22%, and moisture increases with increasing depth. Organic matter percentage was very high, having an average of 95% (range 74–99%). Peninsular Malaysian peat is quite acidic, with a pH average of 3.56. The min % humic acid (HA) is 32.06%, and the highest is 62.44%. C:N ratio increasing with depth, indicating a very slow decomposition rate. FTIR results indicated the presence of polysaccharides, fat, wax, lipids, and lignins content which increases as the depth increases, especially the aromatics such as humic acids and lignins. These distinct characteristics are described to understand better the significance of sustaining peat swamp forests for long-term management.
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