Conservation of peat swamp forest : a forgotten ecosystem

Prentice Crainford, . and Parish Duncan, . Conservation of peat swamp forest : a forgotten ecosystem. pp. 128-144.

Peat swamp forest is a widespread ecosystem in South-east Asia mostly occurring on flat coastal plains although it also extends up river valleys and occurs locally in the highlands. Peat swamp forest is an important habitat for wildlife supporting large mammals at least 7 primate species crocodiles and a rich bird fauna that differs from that of dry forest types. It also supports characteristic blackwater fish communities. Several endangered species occur including the Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus) Malayan False Gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) White-winged Duck (Cairina scutulata) and at least 11 fish species. It is of great socio-economic importance as a hydrological regulator playing a role in flood mitigation water supply and buffering against saline intrusion in coastal areas. It is an important timber resource and provides a variety of produce used by local inhabitants. Despite these values peat swamp forest is rapidly being cleared and drained for other land-uses especially agriculture. Much of the remaining forest has been logged over seriously damaging the ecosystem in some cases. Peat swamp forest is seriously under-represented in the protected areas network in the Indo-Malayan Realm. Still remarkably little is known about this ecosystem: research is needed to investigate fundamental ecological questions sustainable forestry techniques and natural hydrological processes. In view of its recognized values our poor knowledge and the rapid rate of degradation of peat swamp forest it is urgent that suitable areas are protected for conservation purposes. This may have to include logged-over forest to some extent. In the long term systematic holistic planning represents the best means of achieving integrated management incorporating conservation forestry and water management objectives. Studies involving integrated management of peat swamp forests are underway in Malaysia and Indonesia; if successful they may encourage the wider adoption of this approach.

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Abstract

Peat swamp forest is a widespread ecosystem in South-east Asia mostly occurring on flat coastal plains although it also extends up river valleys and occurs locally in the highlands. Peat swamp forest is an important habitat for wildlife supporting large mammals at least 7 primate species crocodiles and a rich bird fauna that differs from that of dry forest types. It also supports characteristic blackwater fish communities. Several endangered species occur including the Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus) Malayan False Gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) White-winged Duck (Cairina scutulata) and at least 11 fish species. It is of great socio-economic importance as a hydrological regulator playing a role in flood mitigation water supply and buffering against saline intrusion in coastal areas. It is an important timber resource and provides a variety of produce used by local inhabitants. Despite these values peat swamp forest is rapidly being cleared and drained for other land-uses especially agriculture. Much of the remaining forest has been logged over seriously damaging the ecosystem in some cases. Peat swamp forest is seriously under-represented in the protected areas network in the Indo-Malayan Realm. Still remarkably little is known about this ecosystem: research is needed to investigate fundamental ecological questions sustainable forestry techniques and natural hydrological processes. In view of its recognized values our poor knowledge and the rapid rate of degradation of peat swamp forest it is urgent that suitable areas are protected for conservation purposes. This may have to include logged-over forest to some extent. In the long term systematic holistic planning represents the best means of achieving integrated management incorporating conservation forestry and water management objectives. Studies involving integrated management of peat swamp forests are underway in Malaysia and Indonesia; if successful they may encourage the wider adoption of this approach.

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Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	40 ref.; Summaries (En)
AGROVOC Term:	SUELO TURBOSO
AGROVOC Term:	TURBA
AGROVOC Term:	PANTANO
AGROVOC Term:	CONSERVACION DE LA NATURALEZA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:56
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/20519

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