P.KHIOMAT MAKLUMAT AKAOEMIK UNIMAS 1111111111111111111111111111 Abstracts 1000168248
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AND WORKSHOP ON TROPICAL PEATLAND (KU CHING 2008)
Peatland Development: Wise Use and Impact Management
19-22 August 2008 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
ABSTRACTS
Organised by Un iversiti Malaysia Sarawak Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute
In collaboration with CARBOPEAT International Peat Society
Under the auspices 01 Ministry of Planning and Resource Management, Sarawak
Supported by Sarawak Convention Bureau
SA ~K
_M'-t ·... CONVENTION BU REAU International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical PeatJand (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
Editors: Fatimah Abang Ismail Jusoh Edmund Sim Ui Hang Andrew Wong Han Hoy Hairul Azman Roslan
Faculty of Resource Science and Technology Universiti Malaysia Sarawak 94300 Kota Samarahan Sarawak, Malaysia
Printed by Lee Miing Press Sdn Bhd Kuching, Sarawak
ii Abstracts
CONTENTS
PLENARY PAPERS
More than Thirty Years of Research on Tropical Peatland: Are We Now Wise Enough to Ensure Their Future? lack Rieley 1 Meeting the Challenges of Integrated Planning and Sustainahle Development in Tropical Lowland Peatlands Edward Maltby 2 Restoration Ecology of Tropical Peatlands: Opportunities and Challenges Susan Page and Laura Graham 2 Sustainable Development of Peatland for Oil Palm Gurmit Singh 3
ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY
Keynote Address: Flora And Fauna Of Tropical Peatland Andrew Alek Tuen, Fatimah Abang and Cheksum Supiah Tawan 4
Diversity of Methane-Related Microorganisms in Peatlands Abdul Hadi and Kuzuyuki Inubushi 5 An Enumeration Of One Hectare Of Peat Swamp Forest At Bukit Lima Nature Reserve, Sibu, Sarawak 6 Meekiong, K. *, I.B. Ipor, CS. Tawan, Hidir, M. & Sekudan, T. Flora Diversity, Changes and Succession from Agriculture Development on Peatland Salma, I., A Azuan and H. Masrom 7 Distribution of Microorganisms in Peat Soil under Agriculture Suhaimi, M., AK.R. Emmyra/edziawati and AB. Ismail 8 Effects of Peatland Development on Spatio-temporal Patterns of Selected Arthropod Families Mohd Norowi, H., l. lamaluddin and AB. Ismail 8 Assessment of Avifauna Composition at Paya Indah Wetland Peat Swamp Forest, Peninsular Malaysia Muhammad Nawaz Rajpar and Mohamed Zakaria Husin 9 Fragmentation and Biodiversity Loss of Peat Swamp Forest in Northern Borneo During Recent EI-Nifio Events Mui-How Phua, Mohd Abdullah Abdul Ghani, Kamlisa Uni Kamlun, Satoshi Tsuyuki and Ola/Conrad 10 Developing Genomic Resources for the Conservation and Management of Tropical Peatland Biodiversity Charles H. Canon 11 Potential Commercial Application of Microbes Isolated from Tropical Peatland M .S. Umi Kalsom, AB. Ismail and AK.R. Emmyra/edziawati 11 Searching for Meaningful DNA Markers of Endangered Species Using Next-gen Sequencing: A Case Study of Ramin (Gonystylus bancanus) Chai-Shian Kua and Charles H. Cannon 12 Fertilizer Requirements for Physiological and Qualitative Traits of Brassica Species U.A Buriro, F.C Oad and AU. Salarzai 13 Ethnobotanical Resources in Peatland Forests in Roban District, Betong Division, Sarawak, Malaysia Gabriel Tonga Noweg and Peter Songan 14
iii International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
LAND USE (CONSERVATION, FORESTRY, AGRICULTURE, MINING AND SETTLEMENT)
Keynote Address: Towards Wise Use of Tropical Peatland: From Agriculture Perspective AB. Ismail 15
Integrated Approach in Managing Peat Swamp Forest for Conservation and Sustainable Use Abdul Rahim Nik, Shamsudin Ibrahim and Khali Aziz Hamzah 16 Land Use Change in Tropical Peatlands and Current Uncertainties in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Harri Vasander and Jyrki Jauhiainen 17
Effect of Drainage and landuse on Soil CO 2 Flux in Deep Tropical Peat Swamps of Borneo Lulie Melling, Fumiaki Takakai, Yo Toma, Tomoaki Morishita, Untung Darung, Kah Joo Goh and Ryusuke Atano 18 Development of Agriculture and Industrial Forestry on Tropical Peatland: Minimizing the Impacts and Maximizing Sustainability Bostang Radjagukguk and Nyahu Rumbang 19 Developing a REDD Scheme for Post 2012: The Kalimantan Forests and Climate Partnership Grahame Applegate 20 Response of Maize Fodder to Soil and Foliar Applied Zinc Gandahi, AW., M.R. Wagan, I. Rajper and N.B. Sial 21 Evaluation of a New Promising Line of Rice Variety MR 253 to Control Brown Spot Disease and Bronzing in Organic Clay Muck (OCM) Soil Muhd Naim, F.A.R., Muhamad, H., Othman, o. and Saad, A. 22 Nematode Infestation on Commercial Pineapple Cultivation on Tropical Peatland H. Nik Masdek, AB. Ismail and M. Zulkef/i 23
AWARENESS, POLICIES, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAIMEWORK
Framework for Risk Assessment of Local Loss of Biodiversity and General Risk of Species Extinction Due to Forest Conversion and Climate Change in Borneo's Aquatic Peat Swamp Ecosystems Volker C. Hammen, Glenn Marion and Josef Settele 24
SOILS AND HYDROLOGY
Keynote Address: Coastal Development in Tropical Peatlands: A Challenge or a Curse - Are Experiences in the Netherlands Useful in the Tropics? H.P. Ritzema 25
Requirements for and Operational Aspects of Water Management in Tropicall Peatlands J.H.M. W6sten, H.P. Ritzema and1.0. Rieley 26 Profiling the Oxidation and Humic Substances of Tropical Peat Murtedza Mohamed 27
iv Abstracts
Impact of M icrovariability on Classification and Management of Peatlands in Asia 28 E. PadmanabhanJ H. Eswaran and P. Reich Drainages Have Caused the Early Damage of Peat SoH in Tropical Zone (Case Study at the Oil Palm Plantation in Jambi-lndonesia) Aswandi Idris and Mohd Zuhdi 29 Differential Effect of Water Table Drop in the Manipulation Experiment on CH and CO 4 2 Fluxes in t he Alaskan Arctic at the Barrow Environmental Observatory Zona D. & Oechel w.e. 30 Canal Blocking Strategies To Restore Hydrology In Degraded Tropical Peatlands In The Former Mega Rice Project In Central Kalimantan, Indonesia Henk Ritzema, Suwido Limin, Kitso KSN and Jyrki Jauhiainen 31 Laboratory Evaluation on the Compressibility Characteristics of Tropical Peat Soils Wong Leong Sing, Roslan Hashim and Faisal Haji Ali 32 Zinc Status in Ten Soil Series under Rice Tract of Malaysia Hafeez B., Khanif Y.M, Samsuri A W, Radziah o. and Saleem M 33 Soil and Water Characteristics of Burned Peat Swamp Forest Underlain by Acid Sulfate Soils at Vo Doi National Park in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam Nguyen My Hoa, Tran Ba Linh, Phon Thanh Bang and Vo Thi Guong 34 A Model Study of Stabilization of Peat Soil Using Cement, Bentonte and Sand by Soil Column Technique in Laboratory and Its Effect in Strength Md. Shahidullslam and Roslan Hashim 35 Pontian Peat: Road Embarkment Fa ilure Simulations Chee-Ming Chan and Zaihasra Abu Talib 36 Decomposition of Different Crop Residues in Peat Hafsah, H.N., Husni, M H. A, Radziah, o. and Wan Sulaiman, WHo 37 Decomposition of Woody Biomass in Tropical Peatland A Mohammad, MS. Umi Kalsom, AB. Ismail and M.J. Mohamad Hanif 38
UVELIHOOD: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVES
Keynote Address: Alternative Income-earning Strategies for Local Communities that Support the Wise Use of Tropical Peatland Sarah Jewitt 39
Sustainable Livelihoods on Peatland with Particular Reference to Smallholder Sago Farming in the Mukah Watershed Tie Yiu Liong, Wan Sulaiman Wan Harun and Murtedza Mohamed 40 Land Use and Community Perceptions Toward Planned Development of Peatland Areas in Kabong and Roban Districts of Betong Division, Sarawak, Malaysia Gabriel Tonga Noweg and Peter Songan 41
v International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
REHABILITATION AND RESTORATION OF DEGRADED PEATLAND
Effect of VAM Fungus Inoculation on Hence Growth Combretocarpus rotundatus (Miq) Burhanudin 42 Post-Fire Peat Forest Regeneration and Recovery Du/ima Ja/i 43 Mycorrhizae Inoculations for Seedlings of Tropical Peat Swamp Forest Trees: A Necessary Restoration Tool? Laura L. B. Graham, Maman Turjaman, Sampang Gaman, Sue Page and Suwido Limin 44 Indigenous Mycorrhizal Fungi Promoted Early Growth of Tropical Tree Seedlings in Degraded Tropical Peat Swamp Forests Maman Turjaman, Irnayuli R. Sitepu, Erdy Santoso and Keitaro Tawaraya 45 Monitoring Rehabilitation Area Along Krueng Aceh (Aceh River) by Using Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) Nasri Ibrahim 46 An In-situ Remediation Technological Approach for Contaminated Site Zainal Zakaria 47
CARBON STORAGE, CLIMATE CHANGE AND AIR QUALITY
Keynote Address: Spatial Policy and the Issue of Carbon Emission in Peatlands Herbert Diemont, Henk Ritzema, Raymond Schrijver, Jan Verhagen, Caspar Verwer and Henk Wosten 48
Periodic Trend of Live Fuel Moisture in Peat Swamp Forest: Preliminary Results Ahmad Ainuddin Nuruddin and Mohd. Khairul Abdullah 49 Carbon Markets and Avoided Deforestation: Opportunities and Challenges in Indonesia Christopher Theriot 50 Carbon Contents in Freshwater Peatland Forest of Danau Sentarum National Park Gusti Z. Anshari 51 Soil Carbon Loss under Different Land Clearing Techniques and Agriculture Systems on Tropical Peatland M. Zulkef/i, L.K.C. Liza Nuriati, A.B. Ismail and J. Jamaluddin 52
POSTER PRESENTATIONS ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY
Wild Flowering Plants in Some Regions of Shabiat Misurata 53 Salah M. Eldanna Abundance of Medicinal Plants Species Found at Burned and Unburned Areas of Klias Peat Swamp Forest, Beaufort, Sabah Andy Russel Mojiol, Audrey Adelia Eliseus, Anna Merlyn Aloysius, Gloria Muring Ganang, Walter Lintangah and Narbert Nasly 54 Growth Performance ofThree Indigenous Tree Species (Cratoxy/um arborescens (Vahl) Blume, Alstonia spathulata Blume and Stemonurus scorpioides Becc.) Planted at Burned Area in Klias Peat Swamp Forest, Beaufort, Sabah Andy Russel Mojiol, Narbert Nasly, Gloria M uring Ganang, Anna Merlyn Aloysius and Audrey Adelia Eliseus 55
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Insects Associated with the Decomposition Process of Carcass in Peat Swamp Forest Nor Aliza Abdul Rahim and Madinah Adrus 56 Faunistic Composition of Odonata (Insecta) in a Peat Swamp Forest, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak Kimberly Ador and Fatimah Abang 57
LAND USE (CONSERVATION, FORESTRY, AGRICULTURE, MINING AND SETTLEMENT)
Evaluation of Urea-N Sources on Chilli Grown on Peat AH. Lim and P. Vimala 58 Detection of Ganoderma of Oil Palm in the Central Region of Sarawak Rizuan, S.M ., Meekiong, K. and M. Sepiah 59 An Assessment Of The Impact Of Technology On Josapine Pineapple Grown On Peat Soil A H. Mohd Johaary and A Abu Kasim 59 Using of Worldview-l Satellite Image for the Delineation of Land Covers Related to Peat Soil Occurrence in U Minh Ha Nationa ~ Park, Vietnam Vo Quang Minh, Huynh Thi Thu Huong and Vo Thi Guong 60 Vanishing Tripa Susilo Sudarman 61 Growth Characteristics of Stenochlaena palustris (Burm) Bedd. Following the Occurance of Fire in Secondary Area of Peat Soil in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia Bulan, P., Geffry, u.J., Wan Sulaiman, W H., Ipor I., Tawan, C. and Meekiong, K. 62
SOILS AND HYDROLOGY
The Effect of Lime on Dissolved Organic Carbon Fluxes of Two Alfisols in North of Iran Mossadeghi Mona, Lakzian Amir and Haghnia Gholam-Hossein 63 Peats Soil Stabilization and Construction of Light Weight Foundation on Stabilized Peat Soil: An Experimental Study and Numerical Modeling Sa/awi, M .I., Maarouf, AL., Kolay, P.K., Linda, S.L.B.T., Kamal, A and Aminur, M.R. 64 Losses of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) from Natural and Degraded Tropical Peatlands in Central Ka limantan, Borneo, Indonesia Sam Moore, Vincent Gauci, William Gosling, Susan Page and Chris Evans 64
CARBON STORAGE, CLIMATE CHANGE AND AIR QUALITY
How Much carbon is Stored in Tropical Peatlands? Christopher J. Banks and Susan E. Page 65 CARBOPEAT: Carbon-Climate-Human Interactions in Tropical Peatlands (Vulnerabilities, Risks and Mitigation Measures) Christopher J. Banks and Susan E. Page 65
vii LENA Y PAP
MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS OF RESEARCH ON TROPICAL PEATLAND: ARE WE NOW WI'SE ENOUGH TO ENSURE THEIR FUTURE?
Jack Rieley
School of Geography, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT Studies of tropical peat and peatland have always been linked closely with development of this ecosystem. Conversion of peatland to agricultural use began in Indonesia and Malaysia ,in colonial times when a range of basic studies was carried out by the British and Dutch. Little emphasis was placed upon the study of peatlands during the first quarter century of the Republic of Indonesia but, in the early 1970s, interest recommenced because of the need to increase domestic food production especially rice padi in coastal areas. As a result, multidisciplinary studies of solis, ecology, agronomy, engineering and social economy were carried out, mostly in the coastal peat areas of Riau and Central and West Kalimantan. Reasonable success was obtained, espedally from the 1960s to 1980s, in growing a large range of crops on shallow peat soils although many problems were also encountered. In the latter part of the 20th Century population increases and demands for economic growth and social prosperity put pressure on Governments in Southeast Asia to develop areas of thick peat, the last lowland wilderness areas, for agriculture, especially to increase rice production for internal consumption and plantation crops for palm oil and paper production, mainly for export. The priorities for development were advanced without adequate assessment ofthe physical and chemical characteristics of tropical peat, knowledge of the biodiversity and ecology ofthe peat swamp ecosystem or an understanding of its natural resource functions and environmental and socio-economic importance. The situation changed ,in the 1990s when several multidisciplinary research-based projects commenced involving European, Japanese, Indonesian and Malaysian scientists. There is now available a la rge and varied database from which to develop strategies for sustainable development and 'wise use' of tropical peatlands and the current need is to integrate this information into policy instruments. The future requirement is to develop management systems and tools for implementing and monitoring sustainable management of tropical peatlands to ensure their 'wise use' and protect their very large store of carbon. It is essential to adopt a positive approach to land development by considering all options and involving stakeholders to reduce poverty and increase socio economic potential that does not involve destruction of the naturat ecosystem. It may be more profitable to 'conserve' t ropical peat and capitalise on its 'natural' values. Some innovative ideas for utilising natural tropical peatlands for income generation linked to wildlife conservation will be discussed.
1 Abstracts
MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF INTEGRATED PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN TROPICAL LOWLAND PEATLAN DS
Edward Maltby
Institute for Sustainable Water, Integrated lVIanagement & Ecosystem Research (SWIMMER), University of Liverpool, Nicholson Building, Liverpool, L69 3GP
ABSTRACT Loss and degradation of tropical lowland peatlands continues despite increasing knowledge and awareness of their importance as intact ecosystems. Their value extends across a range of scales from local communities to wider societal benefits at national, regional and even global levels. An assessment is made of these va llues expressed in terms of ecosystem services to provide a rationale for their more sustainable management. The constraints to implementation of an integrated planning and sustainable development strategy are examined. Finally, recommendations are proposed by which more appropriate use of these highly sensitive ecosystems can be se·cured ,in the future. These include the development of tools which highlight the significance of tropical peatlands to human well-being and priority issues such as poverty alleviation and dealing with climate change.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY OF TROPICAL PEATLANDS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Susan Page and laura Graham Department of Geography, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, UK, UEl 7RH Tel: +44 (0)116 252 3318; Email : [email protected]
ABSTRACT Studies of restoration ecology are well established for northern peatlands, but at an early stage for tropical peatlands. Extensive peatland areas in Southeast Asia have been degraded through deforestation, drainage and fire, leading to on- and off-site environmental and socio-economic impacts of local to global significance. These impacts embrace the loss of biodiversity, including populations of endemic, rare and endangered species; the loss of a range of economically valuable timber and non-timber forest products derived from peat swamp forest; disruption of peatland hydrological functions; degradation of the peat carbon store through oxidation and fire; and Joss of livelihoods for local communities. In order to address these Impacts, restoration of dep3ded tropical peatlands is now viewed by scientists and policy-makers alike as a matter of considerable concern and there is an urgent requirement for landscape-scale measures to assist ecosystem recovery. This paper reviews and illustrates, using information from Kalimantan, Indonesia, t he current state of knowledge pertaining to vegetation succession on degraded peatlands and options for vegetation rehabilitation. It considers som e of the opportunities that large-scale restoration efforts could offer in terms of recovering natural resource functions and t hus reinstating the environmental and economic services that these provide. The paper cautions, however, that ecosystem restoration is dependent upon a number of factors, including both scientific and technical expertise and feasibility, and the wishes and support of local communities. Realistic restoration objectives must also take into account the cha llenges posed by potential future changes in climate.
2 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19~22 August
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF PEArLAND FOR OIL PALM
Gurmit Singh
United Plantations Berhad, 36009 Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia
ABSTRACT Peat soils possess poor physical and chemical properties that need amelioration for successful cultivation of tree crops like oil palm. The soft ground conditions associated with the low bull< density, causes palms to lean and lodge, and is also a constraint to movement of man and machine. Mechani,cal compaction of the planting rows and harvesters paths using swamp-track hydraulic excavators improves the condition and results in better growth and yield. Hoads and drains are expensive to construct and maintain, but with proper planning their density can be reduced. III Sarawak, where the cost of these infrastructures is particular high, water transport using the main drains as waterways could be an alternative. On shallow peat, planting is done at the normal density of 136-148 palms per hectare, but on deep peat a higher density of 160 palms per hectare is preferred. Where the peat has been compacted, palms are pl'anted at ground level; otherwise the hole-in-hole system is used . The success of the plantings depends to a large extent on the fertiliser inputs and on proper water management. Copper is fundamental to growth and, more recently, zinc has been found to be just as important. Deficiencies of these elements lead to the conditions known as mid-crown chlorosis and peat yellows respectively. Both these micronutrients are applied at planting, and further dressings are given at the end of the first, second and third year. Thereafter, application is based on leaf levels. Heavy dressings of potash is required, which is supplied as bunch ash and muriate of potash. Nitrogen and phosphate is also needed in moderate amounts during the early years, but their requirement generally decreases with age. Liming is also done to correct acidity. Efforts are made to maintain water in the drains at around the 50-75 cm level. This ,is achieved through weirs installed across the collection drains, at one for every 40 hectares or so. Tennites and Ganoderma basal stem rot can be a. problem. Preventive measures are necessary to minimize losses. Blanket weeding, which ca n lead to exposure and irreversible drying of the surface peat layer, is discouraged. Apart from the palm circles, soft weeds and ferns are encouraged in the avenues. With the deteriorating labour supply situation, emphasis is given to mechanization of the various in-field operations. To reduce ground pressure, vehicles are fitted with high floatation tyres or double wheels. With the proper management and unkeep, yields comparable to good mineral soils can be obtained. Early growth and nurturing is, in this respect, important and efforts should be made to ensure that the palms in the formative years are maintained in a good vigorous condition.
3 ECOLOGY AND BIO IVE
FLORA AND FAUNA OF TROPICAL PEATLAND
l 2 2 Andrew Alek Tuen , Fatimah Abang and Cheksum Supiah Tawan
1 Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation
2 Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
ABSTRACT Tropical peatland covers approximately 40 million hectares of the humid tropics. About 25 million and three million hectares are found in Indonesia and Malaysia respectively, where it occupies extensive areas of the coastal and sub-coastall regions with peat varying in depth from 1 to 20 meters. The soil is water logged, acidic and poor in plant nutrient. This has important consequences on the flora and fauna communities that typifies the peatland ecosystem and deter humans from developing peatland for agricultural purposes for a long time. But this have now changed; the once inhospitable environment of peatland have been overcome by technology and sustained pressures for people and crops. The peat swamp forest is not known for its high fl ora diversity but rather for the presence of certain species that have adapted to the water logged, acid·c and nutrient poor soil of peatland. A pristine peat swamp forest can have up to six distinct plant communities starting with mixed swamp forest species at the periphery to characteristic Alan forest types towards the centre of the peatland. Each Alan forest type is characterized by the dominance of a particular plant community which form even and unbroken can opy 30-60 meters above the ground. The dominance of commercially valuable timber species such as ramin (Gonystylus bancanus) and Alan (shorea albida) is one of the reason why peat swamp forest are among the earliest forest types to be commercially logged in Sarawak In Borneo endemic tree species such as Dryobalanops rappa, S. albida, 5. inaequilateris and 5. uliginosa have been recorded in peat swamp forest. Some plants from the family Araceae have been recorded only in the peat swamp in Peninsular Malaysia, for example Cryptocoryne griffithii in Rompin peat swamp, C. schulzei in Kahang swamp, Johore and C. minima in Pondok Tanjong, Perak. Pitcher plants such as Nepenthes gracilis, N. bicalcarata, N. ampularia and N. rafflesiana are common in peat swamp forest and endemic to this ecosystem. The waterlogged and acidic soil of peatland does not favour soil dwelling organism so the normal fauna associated with leaf litter and soils are generally absent. The dominant insect groups in the peat swa mp forest, ants (Formicidae) and termites (lsoptera), are ge nerally found above ground on plants. The majority of fishes belong to the family Cyprinidae, Anabatidae and Siluridae and some species that are thought to be rare, for example Clarias leiacanthus, Channa lucius, Rasbora trilineata, Betta akarensis, have been found in abundance in peat swamp. The highly sought after Arowana (scJeropages formosus) are also found in the brackish water of the peat swamp forest. Only 12 species of frog representing 8.5% of Bornean frogs have been recorded in a peat swamp forest and none of these are endemic to peat swamp. Frogs are particularly sensitive to the high acidity of peat water because they spend half of their life cycle in aquatic environment and have thin skin. Out of the 21 species of reptiles reported in a peat swamp forest of Kota Samarahan, 13 are strictly arboreal while another 5 are terrestrial and only one aquatic. Aga in this suggests the unsuitability of acidic condition of the peat water for many fauna species. The continuous canopy of undisturbed peat swamp forest is an important highway for arboreal mammals, especially primates. In 1855 the great naturalist AR Wallace remarked that
4 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
such unbroken and even canopy was probably the main reason for the presence of orangutans in the peat swamp forest of Simunjan in contrast to its absence from the nipah dominated forest of the lower Sarawak River. As a result of many decades of human activities, such continuous canopy is almost non-existent now. Nevertheless the peat swamp forest still harbour many species of rare and endangered primates such as orangutan, colobines, gibbons, langurs and macaques. From the conservation standpoint the most significant species in a peat swamp is perhaps the Clouded Leopard, Malaysian Tapir, Sumatran rhino and Asian elephant. Some 239 species of birds have been recorded in peat swamp forests in Malaysia. Some such as Storm stork (Ciconia stormi), wrinkled hornbill (Aceros corrugatus), Cinnamon-headed pigeon (Treron fulvicollis) and hook-billed bulbul (Setornis criniger) are now virtual'ly confined to peat swamp forest. Faunal survey of peatland has only been done in the last 30 years while expl'oitation of the peat swamp forest for timber has been going on for more than 60 years. Thus we know less about the fauna of peat swamp than of its trees. In the last few years large tracts of peat swamp forest has been rapidly converted into agriculture, mainly oil palm . The rate at which this conversion takes place is alarming from the co nservation point of view because flora and fauna survey activities have not been able to keep up. We run the risk of loosing plant and animal species before we can even began to appreciate its worth.
DIVERSITY OF METHANE-RELATED MICROORGANISMS IN PEATLANDS
Abdul HadP* and Kuzuyuki InubushF l Div. of So il Science, Lambung Mangkurat University, JI. A. Yani Km 37 Bajar baru, Iindonesia; 2Graduate Schoo! of Science and Technology, Chiba University, 648 Matsudo, Chiba, Japan; *Corresponding author
ABSTRACT
) Inventory efforts have been done to determine the magnitude of methane (CH 4 emissions f rom peatland and found that the CH emissions are considerably low in the naturally forested 4 conditions and considerably high when the land is converted to paddy field. Few studies have been done to determine the CH -related microorganisms in peat paddy fields, though they are 4 the driving force for t he high CH emissions from these fields. Peat soils taken from Japan 4 and Indonesia were filled into pots and subjected to water level adjustment and soil ameliorant application. The diversity of methanogenic- and methanotropic-bacteria was determined using PCR-OGGE method, in addition to conventionally Most Probable Number (MPN) method. Methanogenic bacteria occupied either peat, rice straw or rice root with population 100-1000 times hi8her in amendec:l rice strawthan in the peat. The MPN count of methanogenic bacteti. ere the dfW aftt!f' transplanting Of rice on peat. Intermittent drainage reduced the activity of methanogens and methanotrophs, but did not reduce the numbers of both bacteria. Three species of methanogens were found in peat, irrespective to soil ameliorant applied. Both type I and type II methanotrophs were found in peat soils, irrespective to soil ameliorant applied. It could be concluded that the population and species diversity have not changed upon the application of the CH 4 mitigation technique.
5 Abstracts
AN ENUMERATION OF ONE HECTARE OF PEAT SWAMP FOREST AT ,sUKIT LIMA NATURE RESERVE, SIBU, SARAWAK
Meekiong, K. *, LB. Ipor, C.S. Tawan, Hidir, M. & Sekudan, T.
Department of Plant Science and Environmental Ecology Faculty of Resource Science and Technology Universiti Malaysia Sarawak 94300 Kota Samarahan Sarawak *E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT One hectare of peat swamp forest at Bukit Lima Nature Reserve (BLNR) was enumerated for all trees with a diameter breast height (DBH) of ~ 5 cm. A total of 1211 trees belonging to 122 species, 76 genera and 49 families were recorded. Fagaceae was the most abundant family (44.1%) followed by Dipterocarpaceae (20.0%). Lithocarpus (21.8%), Dryobalanops (10.7%), Chepalomappa (9.9%) and Shorea (7.3%) were the most abundant genera. In term of importance value (Iv), Lithocarpus dasystachyus (Miq.) Rehd. with Iv == 23.9 is the most dominant species, followed by Dryobalanops rappa Becc. with Iv =15.6. The regeneration capability ofthe genera as assessed in term of the number of seedlings are dominated by Lithocarpus, Xanthophyllum, Litsea and Xerospermum. The common underground herbaceous plants are ferns species (Asplenium longgisimum, Nephrolepis biserrata and Stenochlaena palustris) and Piper spp.
6 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
FLORA D IVERSITY, CHANGES AND SUCCESSION FROM AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT ON PE ATlAND
Salma, 1.*, A. Azuan and H. Masrom
MARDI, G.P.O. Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia *E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT A survey of plant species wa s carried out along trails in a 70 ha plot of peat swamp forest at MARDI Peat Research Station, Sessang, Sarawak, before the trees were cleared for agricultural development. Following forest clearing, plant species that regenerated one year later were studied in a plot (100 x 100 m) each under felling-burning, felling-stacking and felling-chipping stacking cl ea ring technique for three consecutive years. The cleared area was then planted with agricultural crops and successi on of weed species in the four crop ecosystems, i.e. sweet potato, papaya, jackfruit an d oil palm, were determined. The depth of water table under sweet potato and papaya was about 30-50 cm while under jackfruit and oil pa lm was 50-80 cm. Data recording was taken at an interval of about 5-6 mont hs . Data were analyzed using BIODIV version 5.2. Before t he felling of the trees, the peat swamp forest was represented by Macaranga triloba community as well as M. gigantea, M. pruinosa and M . puncticulata which formed the dominant species. A tota l of 146 species represented by 91 genera an d 46 families was recorded. The most diverse families in species number were Annonaceae, Euphobiaceae, Lauraceae and Moraceae. About one year after clearing of the forest, the total number of plant species regenerated in all the three clea ring techn iques was found to be 93 belonging to 74 genera and 48 families. About 30% of the speci es recorded before cl earing of the forest was found to regenerate in the area and about 37% of the species regenerated ca n be found in t he three areas of clearing techniques. After the land was planted with agriculture crops, a total of 118 species representing 51 families and 97 genera were recorded in the four crop ecosystems. Of the total 97 genera, 87 were represented by a single species and 30 species were common to all crop ecosystems. The most species-rich families were Rubiaceae, (11), Compositae (9), Euphobiaceae (9), Cyperaceae (8) and Graminae (8). These weed species consist of 15 trees, 24 shrubs, 34 herbs, 19 climbers, 10 ferns and 8 each of grasses and sedges. Th e oil palm ecosystem sh owed t he most species-rich with a total of 87, followed by papaya (75), sweet potato (74) and jackfruit (64) . Conversely, Shannon diversity index for jackfrult is the highest (H'= 2.56), followed by sweet potato (H'= 2.39), pa paya (H'= 2.33) and oil palm (H'= 1.62). Simpson's dominance index however is highest in oil palm (C=0.455) and lowest in jackfruit (C=0.179). In spite of the regular application of weedicides, 30 weed species remained viable throughout the two and half year period under the four agro-systems. An association between the ecosystem and the dominant weeds in terms of frequency and distribution showed that in sweet potato and papaya ecosystems Fimbristylis paucif/ora, Hedyotis corymbosa and Cyprus ratundus were dominant, while in jackfruit ecosystem the weeds were Asystasia intrusa, Cyperus rotundus and Sebastiana chamaelea, and in oil palm ecosystem the dominant species were Nephralepis biserrata, Dianella ensifolia and Costus speciosus. Melastoma malabathricum wa s found to be dominant in all agro-systems, probably due to its greater ability to adapt to various ecosystems.
7 Abstracts
DISTRIBUTION OF MICROORGANISMS IN PEAT SOil UNDER AGRICULTURE
Suhaimi, M.*, A.K.R. Emmyrafedziawati and A.B. Ismail
MARDI, G.P.G. Box 12301,50774 Kuala Lumpur *E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT A systematic assessment of microorganisms of peat soils undergoing different degrees of development was carried out. The assessment was conducted on the microbial population, their proportions, bacteria to fungi and bacteria to actinomycete. The population was investigated based on the major groups of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and actinomycete, enumerated on their respective selective media. Comparisons were made between soHs of MARDI! Station Sessang and MARDI Station Jalan Kebun. The proportions of the major microbial groups were compared between Sessang soils, which were left undisturbed, under natural re-growth and cultivated under papaya and pineapple and Jalan Kebun. Soils of Jalan Kebun has been used extensively under vegetables and during sampling, it was culbvated wirth chili. Peat soils sampled from different areas and degree of exposure to agricultural activities exhibit different characteristics in population numbers and proportions_Soils that have been felled but left to allow vegetative growth returned to its or.iginal biological state. Soils that are undergoing early agricultural activities exhibit active biological activities. Intensely cultivated peat soils exposed to agriculture for long periods had potentially low population numbers and proportions.
EFFECTS OF PEATlAND DEVELOPMENT ON SPATIO-TEMPORAl PATTERNS OF SELECTED ARTHROPOD ,FAM'ILIES
Mohd Norowi, H.*, J. Jamaluddin and A.B. Ismail
MARDI, G.P.C. Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur *E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT Agriculture development in peatland ecosystem may cause a number of adverse environmental impacts including, reclamation of wetlands, pollution of freshwaters, decreasing the habitat availability for wildlife and consequently adversely affecting biodiversity. It is important to construct agri-environment indicators to monitor progress towards sustainable development of peatland ecosystem. Arthropod families are widely used as indicators to access the impact of human activities in agroecosystem. A study was carried out in MARDI Research Station at Sessang, Sarawak, to monitor changes in the spatial and temporal patterns of ground beetles, tiger beetles, ants and spiders in response to agricultural activities imposed in conversion of peatland ecosystem to agroecosystem. The populations of these select ed arthropod groups were monitored with pitfall traps. Preliminary results indicate that tiger beetles and ants showed responsive changes to imposed agricultural activities. Ground beetles and spiders on the hand did not show responsive change. Between tiger beetles and ants, tiger beetle may be better agri-environment indicators as it showed responsive change to landuse and spatial configuration of the area.
Keywords: Peatland, landuse, indicator, arthropod, spatial pattern
8 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
ASSESS M ENT OF AVIFAUNA COMPOSITION AT PAYA INDAH WETLAND PEAT SWAMP FORESTS, SELANGOR, PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
Muhammad Nawaz Rajpar1 and Mohamed Zakaria Husin2
Faculty of Forestry, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
E-mail : [email protected]. 2 mza karia@putra .upm.edu.m
ABSTRACT Peat swamp forests are refuge areas for wide array of wildlife species such as birds, mammals and reptiles. The main objectives of this study were to eva luate the species composition, species distribution, species relative abundance and trophic structures of different bird species at Paya Indah Wetland peat swamp forests, Pe ninsular Malaysia. The composition of avian species at Paya Indah wetlands was su rveyed using mist-netting method. Mist-netting was carried out for 48 days dur,ing November 2007 to March, 2008. A total of 648 individuals of 55 species that represented 28 familes were captured. The results indicated t hat dominant species were Pycnonotus goiavier (19.6%), Ploceus philippinus (11.1%), Geope/ia striata (10.9%), Copsychus saularis (5.2%)' Halcyon smyrnensis (5%) and Ixobrych us sinensis (4.4%). Some of the rare species were Locustella certhiola (0.15%), M ucicapa dauurica (0.15%), Porzana pusilla (0.15%), Accipiter virgatus (0.15%), Coturnix chinensis (0. 15%), Gallinula chloropus (0.15%), Pluvialis fulva (0.15%), Porzana fusca (0.15%). In terms of distribution most bird species occur abundantly in the southern and western parts of the wetland due t o rich in floral composition that offers heterogenous habitats, food, breeding and roosting sites for wide array of bird species. Trophic structure revealed the Insectivore which comprises of terrestrial, arboreall foliage gleaning, bark gleaning and sallying insectivore were the most dominant group of birds (41.82%) as compared to Carnivore/Insectivore (16.36%), Frugivore/Gramnivore (16.36%), Insectivore/Frugivore (9.1%), Nectivore/lnsectivore-/Frugivore (9.1%), Carnivore (5.45%) and Omnivore (1 .81%). These results signified that Paya Indah Wetland peat swamp forests are highly important habitat for avian species.
Keywords: Peat swamp f orests, avifauna, refuge, wetland, mist-netting
9 Abstracts
FRAGMENTATION AND BIODIVERSITY LOSS OF PEAT SWAMP FOREST IN NORTHERN BORNEO DURING RECENT EL-NINO EVENTS
1 1 2 Mui-How Phua , Mohd Abdullah Abdul Ghani1, Kamlisa Uni Kamlun , Satoshi Tsuyuki and Olaf Conrad3
ISchool of International Tropical Forestry, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Locked bag 2073, 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, Tel: +6088320118 Fax: +6088320876, E-mail: [email protected]; 2Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo ku, Tokyo, Japan 113-8657; 31nstitute of Geography, University of Hamburg, Bundesstr. 55, D-20146 Hamburg, Germany Tel: +49 40 42838 7289, Fax: +4940428384981, E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT Klias Peninsula, located at the Southwest of Sabah, consists of an extensive peat swamp ecosystem in the Northern end of Borneo I'sland. Bes'ide of deforestation, forest-to-agricultural land conversion and recurrent fires in 1998 and 2003 EI-Nino events have resulted fragmentation and affected the biodiversity of the peat swamp forest. We examined the fragmentation of the peat swamp forests at a landscape scale using three multitemporal satellite images covering the prior and post EI-Nino event. Between 1985 and 1999, the interior areas have significantly decreased due to the 1998 fires. The main pattern offragmentation between 1999 and 2003 was removal of small forest patches by land clearing for agriculture. To demonstrate the importance of peat swamp forest, we compared the biodiversity the fire-affected areas to that of the peat swamp forest. Shannon-wiener index shows that the biodiversity ofthe intact forest is significantly higher than the burned areas. Surprisingly, the 1998-burned areas have shown similar index values indicating certain degree of high richness with species dominance. Margalef index also shows that the intact forest has high species richness compared to the burned areas. However, the selective logging history has resulted dominance of Dryba/anops rappa in the intact forest and this was shown in the evenness and dominance indices. In contrast, the 2003-burned areas were poor in species richness where the plants are mostly herbaceous.
Keywords: Fragmentation, biodiversity index, peat swamp forest, Klias
10 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
DEVELOPING GENOMIC RESOURCES FOR THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF TROPICAL PEATLAND BIODIVERSITY
Charles H. Cannon
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Meglun, 666303 Yunnan, China
ABSTRACT The rate of natural peatland conversion and degradation requires the rapid development of powerful molecular tools to effectively respond to urgent conservation and management issues. Traditional approaches to quantifying and assessing genetic diversity in natural populations can often require substantial investment in the development of informative markers, both in time and money. These markers are often limited in their ability to provide the critical resolution and flexibility necessary to fulfill the many potential uses of molecular data. Here, I summarize the emerging power and ease of next-gen sequencing for generating a revolutionary new perspective on genomic diversity and variation in the poorly known species found in tropical peatlands. Using results from a case study of ramin (Gonystylus bancanus), I highlight the many exciting i'nsights possible given genomic level information and how this insight can be used to better conserve and manage this endangered species. With this case study, I would like to strongly encourage other molecular geneticists to bypass less powerful and equally expensive techniques in favor of these new cutting-edge technologies. Whi,le the bioinformatic skills required are substantial, the benefits of a collaborative effort would be far greater.
POTENTIAL COMIMERCIAL APPLICATION OF MICROBES ISOLATED FROM TROPICAL PEATLAND
M.S. Umi Kalsom*, A.B. Ismail and A.K.R. Emmyrafedziawati
MARDI, GPO Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia *E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT The diversity of woody plant species in an ecosystem normally allows for the occurrence of an equally diverse wood-decay fungi species. Studies at MARDI Peat Research Station at Sessang, Sarawak, Malaysia, indicated that land clearing had resulted in about 2,280 m3/ha offorest wood debris, occupying 13-17% of the cleared area. The genus Polyporus was among the common macro-fungi inhabiting decomposed wood in the station. Other species of macro-fungi collected from the decomposing wood were Pycnoporus sanguineus, Stereum hirsutum, Trametes e/egans, Trametes menzeisii, Polyporus grammocephalus, Polyporus dictyopus, Polyporus tennicu/us, Polyporus arcu/arius, Daedalea aurora, Rigidorus microporus, Ganoderma austra/e, Cori%psis polyzona, Earlielfa scabrosa, Microporus a/finis, Micraporus xanthopus, Antrodiella liebmanii and Phellinus noxius. Two white rot fungi identified as P. sanguineus and T. e/egans exhibited decolorization capacity when tested on agar plates containing azo dyes (synthetic colorants used in textile industries) namely Congo Red, Orange II, Orange G and Ponceau 2R. The major enzymes activities detected in the culture supernatant from P. sanguineus and T. elegans were laccases and lignin peroxidase. Laccases produced by these fungi are potential for the treatment of industrial waste effluents where large amounts of unbound dyes are discharged in effluents especially by textile industries.
11 Abstracts
SEARCHING FOR MEANINGFUL DNA MARKERS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES USING NEXT-GEN SEQUENCING: A CASE STU DY OF RAMIN (Gonystylus bancanus)
Chai-Shian Kua and Charles H. Cannon
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botan ical Garden, Meglun, 666303 Yunnan, China
ABSTRACT DNA markers have been used successfully to trace the origin of illegal natural trade products such as ivory (Wasser et a/., 2006) and shark fin (Magnussen et a/., 2006). In an attempt to understand the population and genetic structure of Ramin (Gonysty/us bancanus), we sequenced and analyzed the genomes of this endangered tropical timber tree from 4 populations, using one of the new next gen sequencing platforms - IIlumina Solexa Genome Analyzer. Recent development in the next generation sequencing technologies, such as massive parallelization and the elimination of bacterial cloning, has dramaticalliy reduced t he cost an d increased the throughput of genomic level DNA sequencing. More than 1.5 G of sequence data was generated from Ramin DNA samples collected at 4 different locations in the peat swamps of coastal Southeast Asia (Johor, Terengganu and Pa ha ng in Malaysia, and east coast of Sumatra in Indonesia). Ramin, a tropical fine grain hardwood, is prized for its easy working qualities. Over-exploitation of Ramin has led to its listing under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (IUCN2006). Analyzing the sequence data in silico, we have constructed draft chloroplast gel10mes and numerous contigs from the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. Preliminary analyses have revealed several potentiaUy informative "genetic signatures" unique to populations.
12 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL AND QUALITATIVE TRAITS OF Brassica SPECIES
U.A. Buriro*, F.e. Oad and A.U. Salarzai
Department of Agronomy, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam-70060, Pakistan *E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT The problem associated with the oil of rape and mustard is the presence of high erucic acid and glucosinolate content, which has an adverse impact on human health. Canola is an elite creation of nature and science with low eurcic acid and glucosinate content. Canola is potential oil seed crop and limited information available on physiological and qualitative characteristics. In this context the selected species viz. Shiralee (Brassica napus L.', Rainbow (Brassica napus L.) and Gaj (Brassica campestris L.) were planted under different fertility regimes (60-0-0,60-30-0,60-30-75, 90- 30-75, 90-60-75, 90-60-100, 120-60-75, 120-60-100 and 150-90-100 NPK kg ha-1 during 2001 2002 and repeated in 2002-2003. The chemical analysis of the soil showed that soil was sandy clay loam in texture, calcareous in nature (CaC03 10.20%), alkaline in reaction (pH 8.09), non 1 saline (EC 0.17 dSm- ), low in organic matter (0.86%) and nitrogen (0.046%), medium in available phosphorus (5.17ppm) and high in potassium (110.50 ppm). The physiological parameters (leaf area index LAI, total dry matter TDM, leaf area duration LAD, crop growth rate CGR, net assimilation rate NAR and chlorophyll 'a' and 'b' content) and qualitative traits (oil content and yield, protein, glucosinolate and erucic acid content) were significantly affected by different NPK levels and varieties in both the years. Seed oil content decreased significantly with increasing rate of NPK fertilizer, which reflected inverse relationship between NPK and oil content, whereas, glucosinolate and erucic acid content increased significantly with increasing rate of NPK levels where Cv. Gaj (Brassica campestris L.) out yielded Shiralee and !Rainbow (Brassica napus L.), respectively in both the years. All the physiological parameters of brassica species responded well and recorded maximum leaf area index LAI, leaf area duration LAD, total dry matter TDM, crop growth rate CGR, chlorophyll 'a' and 'b', seed protein and glucosinolates content under higher 1 rates of fertilizers (150-90-100 NPK kg ha- ) whereas, maximum oil yield was recorded higher under 1 adequate fertilizer dose of 90-60-75 NPK kg ha- • The reduced dose of fertilizer (60-0-0 NPK kg ha l) enhanced the net assimilation rate NAR, oil content and erucic acid in the brassica crop. From the two years study it is concluded that canola cv. Rainbow efficiently performed better under the application of 90-60-75 100 NPK kg ha-1 for oil yield and this fertility level is recommended for achievt.. maximum Iyield for agr~ecollOgical conditions of Tandojam, Pakistan.
13 Abstracts
ETHNOBOTANICAL RESOURCES IN PEATLAND FORESTS IN ROBAN DISTRICT, BETONG DIVISION, SARAWAK, IMALAYSIA
Gabriel Tonga Noweg1 and Peter Songan2
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia E-mail: [email protected]@calm.unimas.my
ABSTRACT Non-timber products account for a substantial contribution to community livelihood in many parts of Sarawak. Rural communities depend on these resources for their personal or subsistence use. Lately, however, these ethnobotanical resources are increasingly collected, not just for personal use but also for the market. A study was conducted in several' village and longhouse communities in the peatland areas of Roban District, Sarawak to access the pattern of utilization and of these resources. Also assessed was the diversity of these resources in different forest conditions. Systematic plot surveys were also conducted in different forest conditions to study the richness of these resources. The study results indicate the main uses ofthese resources are for food, medicinal purposes and for handicrafts. Involvement of villagers in the collection of these resources are also influenced by socio-demographic factors such as income level. Attitude and perceptions toward management and conservation of these resources are heavily influenced by factors such as education level and the current level of awareness. In terms of resource richness, secondary forests and abandoned farmlands had higher diversity of ethnobotanical resources compared to an undisturbed forest. Keywords: non-timber forest products, plant diversity, ethnobotanical resources, medicinal plants, wild vegetables, attitudes, perceptions, tropical peatland, conservation
14 LAND USE (CONS aTION, FO AGRICULTURE, MINING AN D SE
TOWARDS WISE USE OF TROPICAL PEATLAND: FROM AGRICULTURE PERSPECTIVE
A.B. Ismail
Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) GPO Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia E-mail: [email protected]
ABTRACT There are 2.6 million ha of peatlands in Malaysia, accounting for about 8% of the total land area and located in low-lying, poorly drained depressions or basins in the coastal areas. A significant area of the peatlands have been exploited for logging or redaimed for agriculture, and on much smaller scales for settlement, mining and infrastructure development. For agriculture purposes, the peatlands are suitable for a narrow range of crops, mainly those with shallow-rooting and fibrous root systems. Although production and management technologies have been developed for growing crops, their economic potentials are limited by the volatile market and modest prices, especially after consideration of the high costs of development. Presently, only oil palm and pineapple are successfully planted at large commercial scales. Vegetables are planted in small plots with intensive management. Fruits are generally found in limited areas, especially under small scale mixed cropping. Cassava, sweet potato and ginger are potential crops, but their commercial productions are Ilimited by mechanization problems. Sago and pasture are good alternatives crops, especially with regard to the environment, but require more research. Socio-economic impacts from agricultural activities on peatlands have been very positive, but not without controversy. The major issues are related to high costs of infrastructure development and crop care, high risk of failure, less sustainable crop production, and environmental degradation. In addition, there are international remarks, warnings or even threats that agriculture development on peatland, especially oil palm plantations, expedites global warming and loss of unique biodiversity. There are, however, many aspects of farm and agronomic practices that can be improved. Selection of area for agriculture development could minimize the potential loss of biodiversity. Crop selection and proper water table management are important for sustainable production and environmental conservation, while carbon loss can be reduced by proper selection of land clearing technique and utilization of crop biomass waste. A decision to develop the country's-peatland for any purpose is political in nature, as land is a state matter and almost all the undeveloped peatlands are still un-alienated. Even though peatland is best left undisturbed, no one can reallY argue on the need to develop It if the need is real and executed in a sustainable manner. One has to consider whether or not it is environmentally compatible and cost effective in the long term. Such emphasis is needed for government poliCies, strategies and guidelines. At the international level, these considerations are critical to provide a proper direction and strategy for the country to deal with the current issues of carbon emission, such as bio-fuel from oil palm plantations on peatland. For agricultural development, these should be able to regulate various aspects of peatland reclamation. Among the major issues that are needed to be focused on are justification for the development, conservation of biodiversity, maintenance of hydrological balance, minimize land fragmentation, improve farm sustainability, minimize risk of peat fire and minimize carbon loss.
15 Abstracts
INTEGRATED APPROACH IN MANAGING PEAT SWAMP FOREST FOR CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE
Abdul Rahim Nik, Shamsudin Ibrahim* and Khali Aziz Hamzah
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong 52109 Selangor, Malaysia E-mail : *[email protected]
ABSTRACT Peat swamp forests are just one example of the wetland forest found in the tropical rainforests of Malaysia. Adapted to tolerate high water levels, these wetlands habitats exhibit special hydrological and ecological characteristics and give shelter to unique plant and animal life. The South-East Pahang Peat Swamp Forests in Pahang or commonly referred to as SEPPSF is the largest block of undisturbed mixed peat swamp forests remaining in Peninsular Ma'laysia. This is one of the demonstration sites for the Project initiated by the Government of Ma:laysia, together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in mid-2002 to promote the conservation and sustainable use of tropical peat swamp forests in Malaysia. The main aim of the Project is to develop and implement plan which encourage processes to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of these unique wetland ecosystems. The Integrated Management Plan (IMP) forms its main output and articulates the aspects and actions which are critical to the long-term survival of these ecosystems. As prescribed in the IMP the management of the PSF will be undertaken based on an integrated approach which focus on the sustainable management of timber resources; conservation of the biological diversity; the maintenance and enhancement of the physical function (ecological integrity) of the area with special emphasis on achieving connectivity between the forest reserves and conserving the hydrology ofthe area to prevent PSF degradation an d loss ofvegetation cover. This paper highlights the integrated approach adopted in managing PSF fO Ii both conservation and sustainable use.
16 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
LAND USE CHANGE IN TROPICAL PEATLANDS AND CURRENT UNCERTAINTIES IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Harri Vasander and Jyrki Jauhiainen
University of Helsinki, Department of Forest Ecology, P.O. Box 27, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
ABSTRAct Tropical peat swamp forest forms one of the most efficient carbon-sequestering ecosystems and important carbon stores. Some peatlands, even in natural condition, are in steady-state and no longer accumulating peat. Large areas of tropical peat have been drained, resulting in an abrupt and permanent shift in the ecosystem carbon balance from sink to source. This work focuses on principal human impacts on tropical peatland carbon stores and their contribution to climate change processes. This will review data on greenhouse gas exchange between tropical peat and the atmosphere, and treshold factors influencing the processes in various land use types. As there is high rate of peatland use change and expected changes in the regional climate in SE Asian peatland areas, projections of future carbon emissions from tropical peatlands under different land use scenarios is needed. This must lead to development of best peatland management practices that can reduce carbon loss now and in the future.
Keywords: Carbon dioxide, drainage, GHG fluxes, methane, land use, water table level
17 Abstracts
EFFECT OF DRAINAGE AND LAN'DUSE ON SOIL CO FLUX IN DEEP TROPICAL PEAT 2 SWAMPS OF BORNEO
2 3 2 2 Lulie Mellingt, Fumiaki Takakai • , Yo Toma , Tomoaki Morishita .4, Untung Darunlf, Kah Joo 6 2 7 Goh , and Ryusuke Hatan0 •
IDepartment of Agriculture Sarawak, Jalan Badruddin, 93400, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia; 2Graduate School of Agriculture and 7Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan; 3Laboratory of Soil Science, Akita Prefectural University, Akita 010-0195, Japan; 4Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Tsukuba 305-8687, Japan; SFaculty of Agriculture, University of Palangka Raya, Palangka Raya 73112, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia; 6Applied Agriecological Research Sdn Bhd, 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
ABSTRACT Tropical peatland is one of the more important ecosystems in the world. It is also one ofthe largest reservoirs of terrestrial biosphere carbon due to thousands of years of carbon accumulation with minimal decomposition due to its anaerobic, nutrient-poor and acidic conditions. However this carbon is increasingly released to the atmosphere due to drainage and its landuse. It has been conjectured that deforested and drained tropical peatlands in South East Asia are globally a significant source of CO2 emissions and a major hindrance to meeting the aim of stabil.izing greenhouse gas emissions. Within the last decade, vast areas of tropical peat swamp forests have been converted for agriculture development. Drainage is a prerequisite for any agricultllre development on tropical peatland. Oil palm plantations on tropical peatlands are currently cultivated successfully but it is highly debated whether the CO2 emissions related to land conversion and its development have been considered sustainable due to the contribution to global warming and climate change. There have been contradictory findings which had led to the confusion on CO2 emission status of tropical peatlands especially on the effects associated with initial drainage and landuse.ln tropical peatland, different landuse requires different drainage and water retention regimes. Scientists have been aware of the link between the effect of drainage and landuse on soil CO flux for some time, but the understanding of the complex relationship 2 is still insufficient. Thus t his work quantifies t he effects of drainage and landuse on soil CO2 flux in the deep t ropical peat swamps of Borneo. The landuse included the comparative studies on forest and tree crops, annual crops and recently cleared peat swamps.
18 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIAL FORESTRY ON TROPICAL PEATLAND: MINIMIZING THE IMPACTS AND MAXIMIZING SUSTAINABILITY
Bostang Radjagukguk* and Nyahu Rumbang
Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University, Bulaksumur Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia E-mail: *[email protected]
ABSTRACT Tropical peatland covers just over 38 million hectares ofglobal land area (i.e. 9% of global peatland area) of which 52.4% are found in Indonesia, and 6.4% are found in Malaysia. These peatlands are considered to be of great importance for the expansion of cropland and industrial forest land, especially in these two countries, and indeed a sizeable proportion (6% in Indonesia and 21% in Malaysia) has been put into cultivation. The reclamation, or conversion, of tropical peatland for agriculture and industrial forestry necessitates drainage and land clearing, which, apart from causing loss of biodiversity, will inevitably produce drastic changes in the physical, chemical and biological properties of the peat soil, introducing constraints for cultivation. In addition, subsequent cultivation practices will also have an influence on the soil properties. The major impacts of land reclamation on the surrounding ecosystems are caused by low quality of drainage water flowing out of the reclaimed area, by alteration of local and regional hydrology due to construction of drainage canals, and by uncontrolled burning which releases huge amounts of CO and particulates to the atmosphere. 2 In the early development of cultivation by local farmers on these peatlands only traditional technologies were utilized. More recently, new technologies have been developed and applied in an effort to achieve more sustainable systems. These technologies consist of agronomic management, soil and water management, and environmental impact management components.
19 Abstracts
DEVELOPING A REDO SCHEME FOR POST 2012: THE KALIMANTAN FORESTS AND CLIMATE PARTNERSHIP
Grahame Applegate
Senior Technical Forests and Climate Specialist, AusAID, Jakarta
ABSTRACT Australia is assisting Indonesia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through implementing REDO demonstration activities in Indonesia under the Indonesia- Australia Forest Carbon Partnership agreement. The program titled the Kalimantan Forests and Climate Partnership will establish a framework for developing methods and systems for avoiding deforestation of peat forests (swamp forests) and restoration of degraded peatland. This will be done through incentive-based approaches that can help pave the way for large scale financing of avoided deforestation and provide input into the UNFCCC negotiations for a post 2012 agenda. The work to be undertaken in order to achieve these goals will indude the identification ofthe social issues (including gender and ethnicity) and methods for determining operational. solutions to determining land use rights, undertaking information sharing and outreach, providing institutional and technical support, capacity building and determining opportunity costs required for avoiding deforestation of peat forests and peatland restoration. The program will also design incentives, payment mechanisms and processes for REDO which are designed to operate and to link national, provincial, district and village :Ievel payments to performance based outcomes as well as developing incentive-based approaches for avoiding deforestation and reducing forest degradation Other major activities will include identifying the enabling conditions and information needs for supporting environmental governance and institutional requirements for improved district, and provincial land use planning and implementation (management and enforcement) of those plans with all agencies involved. The program willi also develop, based on expert consultations and implement appropriate systems for GHG measurements and accounting at project and national level (covering data for baselines, satellite images, ground-truthing and establishment of inventories) taking account of additionality, leakage, permanence and adequate governance conditions. This component will link into a national carbon accounting system planned by the Government of Indonesia.
20 International SympOsium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008). 19-22 August
RESPONSE OF MAIZE FODDER TO SOIL AND FOLIAR APPLIED ZINC
Gandahi. A.W.*. M.R. Wagan, I. Rajper and N.B. Sial
Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam-70060-Pakistan *E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT In order to observe the response offoliar and soil application of zinc on growth and fodder yield of maize, a field experiment was conducted at Latif experimental farm, Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam, Pakistan.The experiment was laid out according to RCBD with four replications and five treatments, ie., T1 = control,T2 =3% Zn foliar at early whorl, T3=3% Zn foliar split applied during early and mid whorl,T = 3% Zn foliar split applied during early mid and late whorl, T5 = 10 Kg Zn 4 ha-1soil application. All treatments received NPK @ 130-70-40 kg ha-1 respectively. The maize variety Akbar was sown in the plots (Smx3m=1S2). The experimental soil was silty clay loam in texture, non-saline, moderatel,y alkaline and calcareous, medium in organic matter, low in total nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus, high in potassium and low in zinc. The results of the experiments revealed positive response of zinc fertilizer methods and levels on growth and fodder yield of maize variety Akbar. The 3% zinc applied at early mid and late whorl growth stages produced taller p'lants, thicker stems, more green leaves, less dry leaves and high green fodder and dry matter y.ield. The more accumulation of zinc in plant straw was also noted in the treatments applied with 3% zinc foliar at all growth stages where as, soil contents of maize was enhanced in the plots whi,ch received 10 kg Zn ha-1. From the present investigation it is concluded that zinc has significant influence on plant growth and yield parameters of maize and it is suggested that zinc cheated @ 3% foliar ha -1should be applied in 3 equal splits at early mid and late whorl growth stages along with recommended NPK for getting maximum fodder yield of maize.
21 Abstracts
EVALUATION OF A NEW PROMISING LINE OF RICE VARIIETY MR 253 TO CONTROL BROWN SPOT DISEASE AND BRONZING liN ORGANIC CLAY MUCK (OCM) SOIL
Muhammad Naim, F.A.R. 1*, Muhamad, H.\ Othman, 0.2and Saad, A.2
IMARDI Research Station, .lIn. Parit 1, Sg. Sireh, 45500 Tg. Karang, Selangor ~ Te l: +603 32698055, Fax: +603 32693029, *E-mail: [email protected]; 2MARDI Research Station, Locked Bag 203, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang Tel.: +604 5751632, Fax: +604 5751725
ABSTRACT It was found that brown spot disease and bronzing can cause reduction in the quality and yield of rice and its seeds in organic day muck (OCM) soil especially in BI'ock F, Sawah Sempadan, Projek Barat Laut Selangor (PBLS) where it can reach up to 50% damage to the plant. This situation correlates with the condition of soil which contains lack of nutrient, soil acidity or soil toxicity and physiological disorder compared to pathological disease. 25 varieties of rice were screened for two seasons and 5 varieties were found to'lerable to brown spot disease and bronzing. From the 5 varieties, MR 253 was chosen to be the most potential one. An upscaling project was conducted in the main season of 2007 using variety MR 253 and MR 219 to control brown spot disease and bronzing in OCM soil'. The parameters collected include yi.eld and disease index. Disease index was calculated at 70 and 100 days after sowing. The result of this study showed that the yield (CCT) for MR 253 was about 22.4% higher than MR 219 of which MR 253 was 4311 kg/ha and MR 219 was 3522 kg/ha. Meanwhile, the disease index of brown spot disease and bronzing showed that there was no significant difference between the varieties. However, variety MR 253 is proven suitable for OCM soil because it has a lower disease index and produce more yield.
22 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
NEMATODE INFESTATION ON COMMERCIAL PINEAPPLE CULTIVATION ON TROPICAL PEATLAND
H. Nik Masdek*I A.B. Ismail and M. Zulkefli
MARDI, G.P.D. Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia *E-mail: [email protected] •
ABSTRACT Exploratory studies of the pest and disease incidence and severity conducted on several large commercial farms showed the incidence of bacterial heart rot, mealy bug infestation, number of stunted plants and number of plants with reddish leaf averages only below 5%. Evaluation of the small-size farms showed similar results. Evalluation ofthe nematode popul'ation from the roots of pineapple from the large commercial farms showed a high population of Paratylenchus sp. and low population of Aphelenchoides sp. and Pratylenchus sp. Root and soil samples taken from the smallholder's farms did not show any presence of plant parasitic nematodes. Detail studies of the nematode popul'ation in the soil and roots of the pineapple plants at various growth stages from several affected commercial farms showed the population of Paratylenchus sp. to be high. It is concluded that pineapple yield decline on peat soil was highly associated with the nematode Paratylenchus sp . Chemical control studies did not seem to reduce the nematode population. Oean fallow for nine months was better than natural fallow in reducing nematode popu,lation. Evaluation of the pineapple germplasms showed that 41 varieties/accessions were associated with the nematodes in the soil and roots, 25 varieties/accessions showed association with the nematode in the so il! but not in the roots and 17 varieties/access,ions did not show any association with the nematode in the soil and roots. Gandul is highly susceptiblle to Paratylenchus sp. based on Paratylenchus sp. population.
23 AWARENESS, PO LEGA INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
FRAMEWORK FOR RISK ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY AND GENERAL RISK OF SPECIES EXTINCTION DUE TO FOREST CONVERSION AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN BORNEO'S AQUATIC PEAT SWAMP ECOSYSTEMS
Volker C. Hammen\ Glenn Marion2 and Josef Sette leI
1 UFZ, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany, Tel: +49 345 5585318, Fax: +49 345 558 5329, E-mail: [email protected]; 2Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland, The University of Edinburgh, James Clerk Maxwell Building, The King's Buildings Edinburgh EH93JZ, UK
ABSTRACT Deforestation, followed by forest conversioll into plantations, and subsequent large-scale habitat loss poses a severe threat to Borneo's ecosystems and its species. With present deforestation rates it is easy to forecast an almost complete deforestation and conversion of lowland tropical rainforests in Borneo by the year 2050. The conversion of these areas mainly into oil palm plantations permanently changes habitats for most of the species present,ly living in these rain forests, by loosing trees as key stone species and forest cover, and changes in the physical environment, including the peat swamps with its fresh water species adapted to low pH values of 3 by drainage. For most of the known species in the rain forest as well as in the aquatic environment their distribution is not known. We adapted the ALARM (http://www.alarmproject.net) risk assessment toolkit into a qualitative, and where possible, quantitative framework for potentially assessing extinction risk based on expert knowledge of the species. The ALARM risk assessment itself is a further development of the gllobal risk assessment used in the Mi'llennium Ecosystem Assessment and designed to assess multiple rilsks for all European biogeographical regions. This adaptation allows assessing risks of local loss of species or general extinction depending on overall habitat loss. The aims are assessing individual species risks when possible, as well as risks grouped together by taxonomic or functional traits, or risks for an entire ecosystem. This assessment provides a progress for t he Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, by defining risks for a specific la nd-use change, and for two specific biomes in one region, that can act as a prototype for regional risk assessments due to various changes and for different ecosystems.
Keywords: Deforestation, conversion, land-use change, risk assessment, extinction
24 COASTAL DEVELOPMENT IN PEATLANDS: A CHALLENGE OR A CURSE - ARE EXPERIENCES FROM THE NETHERLANDS USEFUL IN THE TROPICS?
H.P. Ritzema
Alterra-llRI, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT The Malaysian Governm'ent has identified the coastal zones of Sarawak as a major region for development. Drainage is needed to make these waterlogged peat swamps suitable for agriculture or other land uses. As soon as the peat swamps are drained the process of irreversible subsidence commences. This subsidence is a well-known and hard-to-overcome constraint to the development and use of tropical peatlands, threatening the long-term sustainability. The dilemma is how to strike a balance between two conrasting needs, namely, intensive drainage in order to optimize land use and less intensive drainage to avoid irreversible damage to these fragile eco systems. Subsidence can be reduced by using alternative water management and construction practices. For agricultural land use control structures can improve water management and at the same time reduce subsidence. High water levels and increasing runoff from built-up areas require additional storage. Innovative solutions, e.g. floating roads, buildings and structures, buildings on piles, etc., are required to reduce and counterbalance the never-ending subsidence. Higher water !Ievels and more space for water will fundamentally change the way our peat;lands are being managed. It should be remembered, however, that subsidence cannot be completely arrested; it is the price one has to pay for utilising lowland peat swamps. Spatial planning need to be based on these Iiong-term subsidence processes. Appropriate conservation, adaptation and mitigation actions need to take place in the context of sustainable development. Groundwater models can help to assess the long-term effects of different land uses and visualization can help to make better decisions. Universities and research institutions in Malaysia (and Indonesia) are keen to develop a sound knowledge base on the sustainable management of tropical peatlands. Cooperation between the Netherlands and Malaysia is most relevant with respect to the coastal development in Sarawak. Both in Sarawak and in The Netherla nds coastal areas are dominated by densely populated peatlands with the challenge of climate change, including sea level rise.
Keywords: tropical peatland, sustainable development, hydrology, land use
2S Abstracts
REQUIREMENTS FOR AND OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF WATER MANAGEMENT IN TROPICAL PEATLANDS
1 J.H.M. Wostenl,2.4, H.P. Ritzema ,3,S and J.O. Rieley6 lAlterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47,6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands, Tel: 2+31317486478 and 3+31317 486607, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]; 6S chool of Geography, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom, Tel: +44 194920920, E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT Large areas of globally important tropical peatland in Southeast Asia are under threat from land clearance, degradation and fire, jeopardizing their natural functions as reservoirs of biodiversity, carbon stores and hydrological buffers. If the initially waterlogged peat swamps are drained to grow agricultural or plantation crops this leads unavoidably to irreversible loss of peat through subsidence. Under these circumstances the challenge is to strike a balance between on the one hand a sufficient high water table depth reducing subsidence and thus CO2emissions, and on the other hand a sufficient low water table depth allowing crop growth. Adequate water management is a key issue both in protecting designated peatlands as well as in their agricultural use. In dealing with water management issues of tropical peatlands three major land uses are distinguished:
• Natural peatswamp forest with constant high water levels • Agricultural areas often overdrained and in need of controlled water management • Plantation crops with controlled water management
Each of the major land uses has specific water management requirements in terms of low or high water levels being constant or variable. As a consequence, each type of land use also needs a specific operational water management in terms of number and size of dams to meet the requirements. The paper presents examples of requirements and operational aspects for each of the three land uses.
Keywords: land cover change, peatland degradation, hydrology, subsidence, oil palm plantation
26 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
PROFILING THE OXIDATION AND HUMIC SUBSTANCES OF TROPICAL PEAT
Murtedza Mohamed
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
ABSTRACT A study was carried out to determine the oxidative loss and changes in selected physical and chemical parameters of organic soils in relation to the level of the underlying water table. The study was based on an ex-situ Iysimeter experimental set-up whereby replicates of homogenised peat soils were maintained over varying water tables for 18 months. The peat soil samples were analysed for bulk density, moisture content, total ash content, pH, redox potential, electrical conductivity, rubbed fibre content, total organic carbon, FTIR spectroscopy, pyrophosphate index, and humic acids. The analytical results indicated, among others, a 23% loss of organic substrates from the soil column above 90 cm water table over 6 months of exposure, compared to only 21 % loss for the soil column above 30 cm water table over a period of 18 months. The results of pyrophosphate index and the correlation between rubbed fibre content and optical density showed that the degree of decomposition and humificatlon were significant for the soil columns under low water tables. An investigation had also been carried out to determine the chemical characteristics of humic substances (HS) occurring in the peat soil samples. A comparison with the literature data for HS occurr,ing elsewhere showed that the tropical peat being studied has higher carboxylic and phenolic contents, is richer in carbohydrate moiety and also is more oxygenated. The UV-Vis analyses gave a relatively high E4/E6 ratio, implying the prominence of aliphatic components. The relatively lower range of Mw further suggested the dominance of smaller-sized humic molecules.
27 Abstracts
IMPACT OF MICROVARIABILITY ON CLASSIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PEATLANDS IN ASIA
E. Padmanabhanl, H. Eswaran2and P. Reich2
lCurtin University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia, E-mail: eswaran.padmanabhan@curtin. edu.my; 2USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington DC
ABSTRACT Globally, wetlands occupy about 18.96 x 106 km2, of which 2% is made up of organic soils. In Asia, about 2.2 million km 2(~ 1.0%) of the land surface comprises peat or Histosols. The current global approach to agriculture places considerable emphasis on environmental qualit y, conservation of biodiversity and preservation of ecosystem while striving to achieve sustainablle production in agroecosystems. In Asia, land use on the peatlands is low-input subsistence-based systems. In a few countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, rurbber and oil-palm are cultivated on a p'lantation scale. Subsistence-based agricultural systems, understandably, would not be able to provide the level of input required for sustainable management of peat lands. The knowledge base for such systems is highly traditional in nature and is therefore vulnerable to the uncontrolled changes that occur in the evolution ofthe agro-ecosystem. Commercial-based agricultural systems appear to thrive in areas dominated by shallow peat. This system is technology-based, has a greater control over changes that may occur within the system but is perhaps still not in harmony with nature. Ignorance ofthe fUllctions and value of such areas has lead to many forms of degradation. Therefore, sustainable development of the peat soils requires not only a holistic approach to the management but also dictates the need for a paradigm shift in resource characterization, research trends and land use policies. The paper elaborates on the paradigm shift in sustainable land management system and advocates a holilstic approach wherein agronomic factors, environmental considerations as we ill as the much de-emphasized socioeconomic aspects, are all integrated into new research approaches. Research strategies needed to ensure sustainable agricultural deve lopment of organic soils include the urgent need for innovative measures to characterize the resource, eva luating and monitoring soil quality, assessing the potential of peat lands to release methane and other greenhouse gases upon drainage, and assessing the integrity of the ecosystem. Issues pertaining to productivity, assisting in the design of rational -, policies for development, promoting preservation of heritage, inculcating the ownership concept ~ and developing better methods to gauge the economic viability of such projects are additional important factors that ensure sustainability. The most important factor differentiating peatlands • from their mineral counterparts is microvariability; this, specifically in t he context of small farms had not been addressed adequately and requires innovative approaches and technologies. Conventional soil surveys must be augmented with more innovative techniques as cu rrent methods suffer from various kinds of limitations.
28 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
DRAINAGES HAVE CAUSED THE EARLY DAMAGE OF PEAT SOIL IN TROPICAL ZONE (CASE STUDY AT OIL PALM PLANTATION IN JAMBI INDONESIA)
Aswandi Idris and Mohd Zuhdi
Soil Science Department, Agriculture Faculty and Research Centre for Watershed Management RCWM Jambi University, Sumatera-Indonesia
ABSTRACT The natural formation process of peat soil is slow and cannot be quickened. However, the speed of decomposition process of peat could be accelerated under certain circumstances, for example, in extreme drainage and burnt conditions. Dra1inage practices in peat,lands are aimed at reducing water table in order to provide cultivation farms suitable for crops. The drawdown of this water leve·1has caused the peat surface layer to undergo easier oxidation. This process is also followed by compaction caused by surface degradation (subsidence). At this condition, peat soil becomes susceptible to fire risk that may result in the acceleration of peat face degradation. The existence of canal development and river rationalization projects in peat land simply generates big impact in changing the balance of water I'evel. Hence, during dry season, peat willi experience abundant draini'ng which then causes peat colloid to become combustible. The raging of fire on peat land with aqueous vapor will yield the plenty of smoke. The development of drainage in the lowland area (boundary) will also have an effect on area of dome, because it can degrade water level in the dome area. Currently, the regulation of current peat land reclamation only pays attention to the thickness of peat as criterion. Therefore, this regulation requires further review if it is used to consider whether or not reclamation is to be carried out in the peat region.
Keywords: peats, water-level, drainage and fire
29 Abstracts
DIFFERENTIAL EFFECT OF WATER TABLE DROP IN THE MANIPULATION EXPERIMENT ON CH AND CO FLUXES IN THiE ALASKAN ARCTIC AT THE 4 2 BARROW ENVIRONMENTAL OBSERVATORY
Zona D. and Oechel W.e.
Global Change Research Group, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
ABSTRACT The Arctic tundra contains more than 191.8 Pg C as soil organic matter. Iincreasingly, this carbon is, or is at risk of, being released to the atmosphere as CO and/or CH • Predictions of future rates 2 4 of release CO and CH nux, following changes in temperature, moisture, and other variables 2 4 associated with climate change, are uncertain. To predict with confidence future CO and CH 2 4 releases to the atmosphere, it is necessary to understand the controls on net CO and CH fluxes. 2 4 The patterns and controls on net ecosystem CO and CH fluxes are complex and non-linear. 2 4 Warming and drying of the tundra can result in increased net CO emissions from the Arctic to 2 the atmosphere. According to our study, water table does not have a consistent impact on methane and carbon dioxide fluxes, and in certain conditions, lower water table is related to higher methane efflux and doesn't affect carbon dioxide fluxes. This unexpected result is contrary to most of the past stud'ies that showed increased soil respiration and CO release with decrease in water 2 table and increased aeration status of the soil. A possible explanation could be connected to the characteristics of the vegetation in our study site. Even with a water table drop below surface mosses are able to hold the water and mai,ntain an anaerobic environment. In other words, the two sites with substantial different soil moisture and water table depth are both characterized by largely anaerobic soils. As a consequence soil respiration is restricted to the shallower soil layers and it is not influenced by the difference in thaw depth or water table between the two sites. In our study site mosses are major components of the vegetation representing more than 80% of the biomass. The differential response ofthe water table drop on CO and CH fluxes is probably due to the 2 4 differential importance of shallower aerobic versus deeper anaerobic soil layers on the emission of the two gases. Methanogensis probably occurs in deeper soil layers, so a deeper thaw depth could significantly Increase methane production (as we observed in the north site in late season), while shallower soil layers are the ones mainly responsible for the aerobic respiration.
30 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
CANIAL BLOCKING STRATEGIES TO RESTORE HYDROLOGY IN DEGRADED TROPICAL PEATLANDS IN THE FORMER MEGA RICE PROJECT IN CENTRAL KALIMANTAN, INDONESIIA
Henk Ritzemal, Suwido Limin2, Kitso KSI\F and Jyrki Jauhiainen3 lAlterra-ILRI, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands, E-mail: [email protected]; 2Centre for International Co-operation in Sustainable Management of Tropical Peatland, University of Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia; 3Department of Forest Ecology, University of Helsinki, Finland
ABSTRACT In the 1990's the Indonesian Government decided to develop one million of hectares of peatlands for agriculture in Central Kalimantan. The construction of thousands of kilometre of canals has resulted in over-drainage and since then the area has been subject to severe forest and peat fires. Restoration of these degraded peatlands starts with restoring the hydrology to rewet the surface in order to control fire and to initiate reforestation. Canal blocking strategies are in the early stages of understanding and implementation. In Block C of the former Mega Rice Project blocking experiments started in 2005. Water levels were monitored to assess the effects of these blocking strategies. The results of these trials show that blocking canals resulted in higher water levels. These positive effects, however, did not offset the negative effects of the accelerated subsidence caused by the low water I,evels in the canals. The canals have "eating" themselves in the peatland, creating depression in the peatland surface. As a result the overland and interflow is intercepted by the canals, resul,tilng in the risk of overtopping during extreme rainstorms. Based on these experiences, blocking strategies have been refined.
31 Abstracts
LABORATORY EVAtUATllON ON THE COMPRESSIBILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPICAL PEAT SOILS
Wong Leong Sing, Roslan Hashim and Faisal Haji Ali
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ABSTRACT Characterized by high initial void ratio, organic content and water holding capacity, fibrous peat exhibits high compressibility and low shear strength. Consequently, formation of deep fibrous peat layer often poses difficulties in construction. In practice, compressibiHty of deep fibrous peat can be reduced by staged preloading technique. The technique employs staged construction in which sand embankments are constructed on the soil at different stages of time so as to conso'lidate the soil in order to increase its bearing capacity. Staged preloading simulation was carried out in laboratory by loading of undisturbed fibrous peat specimens using standard oedometer consolidation apparatus. Analysis on the time-compression curves from the tests revealed that coefficient of vertical consolidation of the soil was best predicted using square (c)v root of t . method when compared to that evaluated using conventional curve fitting methods. S2 6 A main reason for this is the experimental time-compression curves for the method that best C fit its theoretical curve. Furthermore, the method predicts v of soil at 52.6% average degree of consolidation, which is less likely to be affected by secondary compression that usually occurs concurrently at the later stage of soil primary consolidation.
Keywords: Coefficient of vertical consolidation, fibrous peat, primary consolidation, staged preloading
32 ....
International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
ZINC STATUS IN TEN SOIL SERIES UNDER RICE TRACT OF MALAYSIA
Hafeez, B., Khanif Y.M., Samsuri A.W., Radziah o. and Saleem M.
Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
ABSTRACT Continued cropping on the same piece of land with no maintenance through crop rotation will directly affect the fertility of the soil. Ten soil series from Kedah were selected for the identification of the zinc status. Soil samples were collected from three (O-ls, 15-30 and 30-4scm) depths with each depth replicated three times from different location for same batches of each soil series. The samples were air dried, sieved (2mm) and analyses for N, P, Total C, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and Textural classes. Zinc concentration in soil was compared with three critical limits (O.S, 0.8, .1) ) 4.0ug g and double acid method (O.OSM HCI + 0.012SM H2S0 4 was used for zinc analysis. The result s indicate that at O.sug g-t, the Kerenji (30-4scm), Tualang (0-4scm), Changai (ls-4scm) and Ka ngkan (0-4scm) soil series were found to be defident in Zn. At 0.8 ug g-t, the Kerenji (0-4scm), Sedeka (ls-4scm), Guar (ls-4scm), Kundur (0-4scm), Tualang (0-4scm), Changai (0-4scm), Kulaledah (ls-4scm), Kangkan (0-4scm) soil series were below average in Zn. Whereas at 4.00 ug g -t, critical limits all soil series were found to be low in Zn concentration. The GIS was applied for each ~ ocation. To overcome the problem, Zn fertilizer application or zinc-efficient genotypes are suggested for cultivation at the studied area.
33 Abstracts
SOIL AIND WATER CHARACTERISTICS OF BURNED PEAT SWAMP FOREST UNDERLAIN BY ACID SULFATE SOILS AT VO 001 NATIONAL PARK IN THE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM
Nguyen My Hoa, Tran Ba Linh, Phan Thanh Bang and Vo Thi Guong
Soil Science & Land management Department, Can Tho University, Vietnam
ABSTRACT Peat swamp forest fires have great impacts on peat land ecology. In VA Doi National Park at U Minh Ha peat land area, the peat soil is underneath by acid sulfate soils. The environment can be threatened because of the fire-damaged peat land. The objective of the study was to determine the changes in soil and water quality under the affects of loss of surface peat by fires. Soil samples were collected triplicates at two sites in peat and one site in burned peat soil area. Water samples were collected inside original peat area and burned peat area, and in canals. The selected canals were in peat forest at core zone and in buffer zone outside at acid sulphate soills area . In the core zone of forest, ,in order to avoid fire risk, water was kept at high level during dry season. Therefore water depth in original peat forest was about 10-20 cm below peat surface. Meanwhile, in burned forest, because of the loss of peat soil, soil was submerged at 40-50 cm water depth. 3 Peat layer at VA Doi had characters of a fibric peat: low bulk density (0,18 - O,27g/cm ), low water holding capacity (60-72%), low shrinking and swelling (24-49%), high hydraulic conductivity (Ksat =108-134 cm/h), low pH (3.5-4.0)' low CEC (36-40 meq/l OOg), high totall and labile N ( 1.4 2.1N %, 53-98 mg N/kg, respectively), low tota,1and available P. In the burned peat soill area, su lphuric layer was exposed to the surface with lower soi,l pH (pH about 3.3), high exchangeable AI (16.1 meq/100g), an d low nutrient avai l'ability. Sulphidic layers in both original and burned forest remained in reduced condition, therefore had higher pH (5.6-6.0). The low pH and permanent flooded condition in burned peat swamp forest may lead to loss of plant biodiversity and wild life. The pH of water in peat forest was low (3.8-4.5) due to low pH of peat materials. The canals in peat forest had higher water pH (pH= 5-7) than that in acid sulphate soils area in the buffer zone ((pH= 3.8-6.0). In both the peat soil forest and the burned peat soil forest, and in acid sulfate soil buffer zone, the concentration of As (11.2-18.5 ppb), Cd (0.4-1.6 ppb), Cr (5.6-7.5 ppb), and Ni (8.4-16.6ppb) in canals were below critical level for surface water. The burned peat land underneath by acid sulfate soils in Vo Doi National Park leads to the negative impact on soil and water quality therefore related to the loss of biodiversity of the peat land area. Detailed study on the changes in soil and water quality at different water management and its affects on biodiversity is needed for a good management of peat land area.
Keywords: peat swamp forest, acid sulfate soils, burned peat soil, soil and water quality
34 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuc'hing 2008), 19-22 August
A MODEL STUDY OF STABILIZATION OF PEAT SOIL UStNG CEMENT, BENTONT,E AND SAND BY SOIL-COLUMN TECHNIQUE liN LABORATORY AND ITS EFFECT IN STRENGTH
Md. Shahidul Islam l and Roslan Hashim2
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia E-mail: [email protected]@um.edu.my
ABSTRACT The characteristics of peat soils are low bearing capacity, high compressibility and low shear strength. Often associated with wetlands, ponds and near the margins of shallow lakes, this soil poses special challenges in construction industry. "Deep Mixing Method" is being used to stabilise this problematic soil from more than 50 years ago. Initially a single auger was used as mixing tool and lime was used as binder. Now days this method is used widely using variety of mixing equipments and various type of binder as this method is more economical and less time consumable comparing with other type of peat soil stabilisation. Dry Jet Mixing (DJM), a type of deep mixing technology, in which dry cement or lime is supplied from the plant by air and injected through the ports located at the lower portion of the mixing shaft. DJM is most frequently used to treat liquefiable sand, organic soils, peat and very soft silt or clay with water content more than 100%. Pour water is the sole source of water for cement hydration, and therefore, DJM is generally used to treat soHs below or adj,acent to groundwater table. A model study has been carried out in laboratory to study positive effect after stabilization of peat soil by soil-cement column, using fabricated mixing tools. Ordinary Portland cement, Sodium bentonite and well graded silica sand was injected manually as binder. The study revealed that the strength of peat increases after stabilization.
35 Abstracts
PONTIAN PEAT: ROAD EMBANKMENT FAILURE SIMULATIONS lChee-Ming Chan and 2Zaihasra Abu Talib
Research Centre for Soft Soils (RECESS), Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]
ABSTRACT The peat soil deposit found in Pontian, Johor {the southern state of Peninsular Malaysia) has always posed significant problems in the construction of road embankments, especially with excessive settlements. The particular case in view is Jalan Bukit Batu, a combined rigid and flexible pavement on a piled embankment, which is experiencing serious subsidence problems. Vertical and lateral movements of the soil beneath the road embankment caused deep cracks along the centre line of the road pavement, endangering road users as well as incurring high cost of maintenance. I'n order to ascertain the actua:1failure mechanism and to explore the possible remedial measures, physical modelling was used to replicate the problematic embankment in the laboratory. The simulations indicated that the lack of lateral res,istance was the main cause of the subsidence and expansion of soil beneath the embankment. Thi,s was worsened by the additional weight imposed by the concrete slab. While the failure mechanism was successfully studied, limitations such as boundary effect in the model tests are duly acknowledged, and should be addressed if more accurate and representative demonstration of the embankment failure on peat soil is desired.
Keywords: peat soil, embankment, lateral movement, subsidence
36 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
DECOMPOSITION OF DIFFERENT CROP RESIDUES IN PEAT
1 Hafsah, H.N. , Husni, M.H.A.2*. Radziah, 0.2and Wan Sulaiman, W.H.l lDept. of Plant Science and Environmental Ecology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Uni'versiti Mal'aysia Sarawak; 2Dept. of land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Se!langor; *(orresponding author: [email protected]
ABSTRACT Decomposition of leaves and roots for oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), pineapple (Ananas comosus) and sago (Metroxylon sagu) on peat was monitored for 14 months in pot trial condition using the litter bag method. We determined remaining mass, lignin and cell'ulose degradation as well as other elements such as (, NI and Mn. Remaining mass for all' crop residues showed a significant relationship with time. All the regression Hnes best fitted double exponential equation except for oil palm leaves which fitted triple exponential. For leaves decomposition, pineapple showed the lowest remaining mass and the highest was found in sago with 10% and 70% of their initial mass respectively. The lowest and highest remaining mass for roots were found in sago and pineapple with 30% and 70% of their initial mass respectively. This can be explained by their initial substrate quality expressed by (:N and lignin:N ratios. Pineapple leaves has the highest substrate quality and the lowest was found in sago leaves. For the roots, based on the ratios, the highest substrate quality was found in sago and the lowest in pineapple. In a parallel field decomposition study the results indicated that the remaining mass and lignin content follow similar trend to that of pot study. Thus, there exists a possibility of predicting the decomposition (remaining mass) in the field from pot trial 'using these two variables. Sago leaves and pineapple roots were resistant to decomposition in peat among the crop residues.
37 Abstracts
DECOMPOSITION OF WOODY BIOMASS IN TROPICAL PEATlAND
A. Mohammad, M.S. Umi Kalsom, A.B. Ismail and M.J. Mohamad Hanif
MARDI, GPO Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ABSTRACT Two studies were carried out at MARDI Peat Research Station, Sessang, Sarawak. The first was to substantiate the decomposition rate of above and below ground woody biomass where three treatments were imposed: Tl - above ground non-destructive method; T2 - below ground non destructive method and T3 - be llow ground destructive method. The latter treatment was started only recently and is on-going. The biomass were categorized into four size groups i.e. <2.5 cm; 2.5 15 cm; 15-30 cm and >30cm diameter. Decomposition parameters measured were loss of weight and volume at six months interval, for a period of three years. For the underground treatments (T2 and T3), the biomass were further categorized according to the depth, namely 0-33 cm, 33 66 cm and 66-100 cm respectively. Results indicated that the biomass in Tl decomposed almost completely within the study period. The biomass in T2 had decomposed up to 60%. The biomass in T3 decomposed 7% in the first 18 months. The second study was conducted to exploit the potential of using lignocellulolytic fungi, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, as a biological agent to enhance decomposition of Macaranga triloba logs. The logs were treated as follows: (i) inoculated wood above ground (IWAG), (ii) uninoculated wood above ground (UWAG), (iii) inoculated wood below ground (IWBG), (iv) uninoculated wood below ground (UWBG). After 12 months, the total weight loss was 67%,62%, 43% and 35% for IWAG, UWAG, IWBG and UWBG, respectively. The respective lignin loss was 9.6%,6.3%,3.0% and 2.1%; cellulose loss was 17.5%, 15.7%, 13.8% and 12.5%; and ash content was 3.0%, 2.6%, 2.2% and 1.7%. The relative decay rates after 3 months were higher {3.2, 3.0, 2.9 and 2.6 mgjgjd, respectively) as compared to that of after 12 months (1.8, 1.6, 1.2 and 1.1 mgjgjd, respectively). The C:N ratio after 12 months was reduced by 55%, 51%, 32% and 17%, respectively. The study indicated that under natural conditions, the introduced fungus, P. chrysosporium, slightly enhanced wood decomposition in peat eco-system.
38 LIVELIHOOD: ~- --- D E _~ PERSPECTIVES
ALTERNATIVE INCOME-EARNING STRATEGIES FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT SUPPORT THE WISE USE OF TROPICAL PEATLAND
Sa ra h Jewitt
University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
ABSTRACT The restoration of tropical peatlands is unlikely to succeed without strong support from and engagement with local communities. In the absence of alternative income earning opportunities, populations whose livelihoods currently depend on the exploitation of peat swamp forests may destroy restoration efforts that that they perceive not to be in their interests. Examples of how they may do this include the use of fire, the destruction of dams on drainage channels or by illegal felling activities. This paper will examine a number of alternative livelihoods that have potential for meeting local needs as well as wider peatland restoration and 'wise use' goals. The main focus will be on social forestry and agribusiness.
39 Abstracts
SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS ON PEATLAND WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO SMALLHOLDER SAGO FARMING IN THE MUKAH WATERSHED
Tie Yiu Liong!, Wan Sulaiman Wan Harun2 and Murtedza Mohamed2
lC/O Ecosol Consultancy Sdn Bhd, 58, 1't Floor, Kueh Hock Kui Commercial Centre, Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, 93150 Kuching, Malaysia Tel: +60 82 248919, Fax: +60 82250893, E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]; 2Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
ABSTRACT As part of a broader objective of determining the socio-economic conditions and livelihood strategy options of communities living on peatland in the Mukah watershed, Sarawak, this study examines the sago farming system as practised by the local farmers on peatland for generations. Traditionally sago, the third most important agricultural crop in the state, is a popular perennial tree crop for the smallholders in the Mukah, Dalat and Kalaka regions and sago farming is one of main economic activities of these communities. According to the Department of Agriculture, the total sago hectarage in Sarawak was about 67,957 ha, out of which about 43,426 were planted by the smallholders. Some 53,017 ha of these were found in the Mukah Division, with the Dalat District having 28,745 ha. About 62% of the smallholder sago in Sarawak was cultivated on peat soils, particularly deep peat with more than 150 cm of surface peat. In the Mukah watershed, about 48% of the sago smallholdings were sited on peat soils. The smallholder sago farmers use sago suckers for propagation. Theilr plantings do not follow a fixed spacing. Apart from some inadvertent drainage provided by the adjacent natural waterways or the transportation canals, no direct effort is made to drain the gardens. No fertilisers are applied and maintenance is limited to some slashing of weeds and some pruning of dead or old fronds. Nevertheless, the sustainabillity of smallholder sago cultivation is well demonstrated by the fact that many of the sago gardens have been producing continuously for generations. Based on the current practices and the requirements deemed necessary for the farmer to intensify or commercialise his sago farm, some guidelines on planting materials, land preparation and establishment, agronomic practices and maintenance, and harvesting have been formulated.
40 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
LAND USE AND COMMUNITY PERCEPTI'ONS TOWARD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OF PEATLAND AREAS IN KABONG AND ROBAN DISTRICTS OF BETONG DIVISION, SARAWAK, MALAYSIA
Gabriel Tonga Noweg1 and Peter Songan 2
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia E-mail: [email protected]. [email protected]
ABSTRACT Large scale oil palm plantations in Roban and Kabong have been developed by government land development agencies in the late 1980s, primari:ly to uplift the socioeconomic conditions in the area. These p'lantation developments involved land areas belonging to local farmers where they were engaged as "participants" in the venture. Despite the obvious intent of these land development projects, the question on how much and in what manner the local communities benefit varies from community to community. Peatlands in the area are also used for other subsistence activities as well as other minor cash crop production. Several ,important questions have been raised regarding these organized land development in these peatland areas. Have these land development activities lied to a change in the overall pattern of landuse in the area compared to the past? Are the landowners now less dependent on subsistence activities on land for livelihood? A study was carried out to assess the impacts of these Iland development projects on the local communities. Also assessed were the community's perception on existing landuse and their responses to future planned development in their neighbourhood. Their attitude toward conservation and rehabilitation of existing peatlands are also induded. A total of 320 households from 20 villages and longhouses were linvolved in the study. The study also provided some strategies and recommendations on how to further develop and sustain the livelihood of the local communities in order to prevent further deterioration of the remaining peatland in their districts.
Keywords: local communities, socioeconomic conditions, attitudes, perceptions, livelihood strategy options, tropical peatland
41 REHABILITATION AND RESTORATION OF DEGRADED PEATLAND
EFFECT OF VAM FUNGUS INOCULATION ON HENCE GROWTH Combretocarpus rotundatus (M IQ)
Burhanuddin
Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
ABSTRACT For restoration of degraded peat swamp forest, the silvicult ural techniques using Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi are necessary. VAM fungi symbiotic relationships play important roles to the growth and survival of trees. The objective of this research was to observe the VAM fungi status of typical peat swamp forest at Bloc C Kelampangan in central Kalimantan that has been an open and damaged area. Currently, the site is occupied by various pioneer plants. Soil samples from rhizosphere offive pioneer vegetation (Melastoma sp ., Combretocarpus sp., Acacia sp., Cratoxylon sp., and Nephrolepsis sp.) were collected and spores were isolated from the soil using a wet sieving and decanting method. Number of spore and genera in pioneer plant's rhizosphere were markedly without bl'ocking canal greater than blocking canal. The greater spore number was abserved in rhizosphere of Melastoma sp, followed by Acacia sp., and Combretocarpus sp . Three genera of VAM fungi were found, namely; Glomus, Gigaspora, and Acaulospora. A field experiment was conducted to examlne the effect of the arbuscular vesicular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus sp. 1, Glomus sp. 2 and Gigaspora sp. and seedling media on growth of Combretocarpus rotundatus (Miq). In general the VAM fungi used in this study showed benefical effect in these parameters. The colonization by Glomus sp. 1 showed the highest plant height, stem diameter and leaf number per plant. Under peat soil media conditions both Combretocarpus rotundatus (Miq) showed a high degree of dependence on mycorrhizal, increasing with the age of the plants.
42 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
POST-FIRE PEAT FOREST REGENERATION AND RECOVERY
Dulima Jali
Department of Geography, FASS Universiti Brunei Darussalam
ABSTRACT Tropical peatlands are being cleared and converted to other land uses at an alarming rate although our understanding of their ecology is limited. Over the past decade, occurrence of fires has increased in extent, frequency and intensity in the Southeast Asian Region. This has left numerous fire scars and produced vast areas of degraded peatlands in various stages of secondary succession mainly dominated by dense grasses and ferns that produced conditions that prevent seedlings growth. There is little information on the rate of regeneration, or the characteristics of the regenerating forests. Therefore it is essential to design restoration experiment that both further our knowledge on peatland ecology and inform management strategies to facilitate recovery of these ecosystems and to design effective restoration ecology. Identifying barriers to seedling establishment is a useful approach and can contribute to knowledge of natural succession mechanisms. This study aimed to examine the barriers to tropical peat forests natural regeneration or recovery. The results indicate that there are several interacting factors that impose barriers for see dlings establishment and arrest the natural succession processes. The principal barriers are lack of seed dispersal mechanisms, the distance from remnant vegetation, competition from ferns and sedges and the habi,tat physical conditions such as soils, water, moisture and light conditions.
43 Abstracts
MYCORRHIZAE INOCULATIONS FOR SEEDLINGS OF TROPICAL PEAT SWAMP FOREST TREES: A NECESSARY RESTORATION TOOL?
3 2 laura l. B. Graham1,2, Maman Turjaman , Sampang Gaman , Sue Pagel and Suwido limin2
1 University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, UK, E-ma il: [email protected]; 2CIMTROP, UNPAR, JI. Yos Sudarso, Palangka Raya 73111, Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia; 3 Forest Microbiology Laboratory, Forest and Nature Conservation Research and Development Centre (FNCRDC), Ministry of Forestry, JI. Gunung Batu No.5, Institute Pertanian Bogor, Bogor, Indonesia
ABSTRACT Forest rehabilitation activities are being initiated across multiple degraded peatland areas in South East Asia. However, best rehabilitation techniques are still under development. In order to achieve rehabilitation efficiently and at the largest possible scale, cost-effective, transferable methods must be established. One potential! method is to increase transplant seedlings' survival-rates, growth-rates, nutrient uptake and biomass production through mycorrhizal inoculation. Mycorrhizae form highly-specialized, often species-specific, symbiotic relationships with plant roots increasing the plant's nutrient availability. Research shows that the abundance and composition of mycorrhizae in the soil can affect the composition and succession pathways of the plant community. Furthermore, after disturbance, mycorrhizae abundance and composition can become altered, affecting potential forest regeneration. It i,s already established that key-successionall tropical peatland tree species in SE Asia form symbiotic relationships with mycorrhi'zae; i1noculating tree seedlings increases survival, growth rates, biomass accumulation, nutrient assimilation and leaf production in seedling nurser,ies. To transfer this knowledge to rehabilitation methods, we studied ifthis advantage continued when inoculated seedlings were transplanted to degraded forest. 400 seedlings of Shorea balangeran were inoculated with ectomycorrhizae spores, Scleroderma columnare, whilst 400 seedlings were left un-inoculated. Five transects were established in a tropical peat swamp forest area, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Each transect ran parallel to the forest edge, each positioned in a different zone of forest disturbance; primary, closed-canopy disturbed, forest edge, open canopy disturbed, and degraded. Inoculated and un-inoculated seedlings were transplanted to each transect in October 2007; survival, height, basal and leaf number were recorded monthly. In the fifth month (peak wet-season), seedling samples were collected from each transect. The roots were stained, photographed, and the abundance and composition of mycorrhizae colonization was established. Growth data will be collected until September 2008, and the level of mycorrhizal colonization in further sampled seedlings will be assessed in the dry season, along with Nand P content. We present the first seven months of growth data, the levels of mycorrhizal colonization found in the roots during the wet season and the biomass of the roots and shoots sampled. Th e data strongly supports the theory that in more degraded areas forest-species mycorrhizae are lower than the requirements of the host species, leading to seedlings having reduced growth rates. In contrast, inoculated seedlings are able to achieve higher growth rates and biomass accumulation. However, this advantage is only maintained in the degraded zones. This highlights the importance of using mycorrhizae inoculants for increasing efficiency and success in forest rehabilitation programs of degraded peatlands in SE Asia.
Keywords: Trapical peatlands, rehabilitation, degradation, seedling transplants, mycorrhizae
44 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
INDIGENOUS MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI PROMOTED EARLY GROWTH OF TROPICAL TREE SEEDLINGS IN DEGRADED TROPICAL PEAT SWAMP FORESTS
1 1 2 Maman Turjaman *, Irnayuli R. Sitepu , Erdy Santosol, and Keitaro Tawaraya lForest microbiology laboratory, Forest and Nature Conservation and Research and Development Centre (FNCRDC), Ministry of Forestry, Jalan Gunung Batu No.5 Bogor 16610, Indonesia; 2Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, Japan *Corresponding author: [email protected]
ABSTRACT Tropical peat-swamp forests in Southeast Asia have the largest area of peat and support luxuriant growth of peat-swamp tree species overlying peat deposits up to 20 metres deep. However many peat-swamp forest tree species have resulted in the reduction due to over-exploitation, illegal logging, clear-cut forest areas, old agricultural lands, post-wildfire areas, conversion of natural forests into plantations in Indonesia. Mycorrhizal fungi play an important a role to promote plant growth, nutrient content and survival rates of forest tree species in temperate and sub-tropical region. However no information is available regarding the effect of mycorrhizal fungi on growth of tree species in tropical peat swamp forests. The objective of this study was to utilize indigenous mycorrhizal fungi for rehabilitation of degraded tropical peat swamp forests in Indonesia. Several experiments were carried out to determine whether ectomycorrhizas (ECM) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi enhance mycorrhizal colonization, nutrient content, plant growth and survival rates of some tropical peat swamp forest tree species in Indonesia under greenhouse, nursery and field conditions. The families of tropical peat swamp tree species used in the experiment were Guttiferae (Calophyllum hosei and Ploiarium hosei), Apocynaceae (Dyera polyphylla and Alstonia scholaris), Dipterocarpaceae (Shorea balangeran), and these families are important as they provide timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) . Dipterocarpaceae was inoculated with ECM fungi. Guttiferae and Apocynaceae were inoculated with AM fungi. Control seedlings were not inoculated. Seedlings were grown under nursery conditions without fertilizers for six mont hs. Colonization by indigenous mycorrhizal fungi increased shoot height, stem diameter, and shoot dry weights of s. balangeran, D. polyphylla, C. hosei, P. alternifolium, and A. scholaris. Shoot Nand P concentrations of s. balangeran, D. polyphylla, C. hosei, P. alterni/olium, and A. scholaris seedlings were increased by mycorrhizal colonization. The su rvival rates of s. balangeran, D. polyphylla, C. hosei, P. alterni/olium, and A. scholaris ranged from 90 100%,92-100%, 100%, 100%, and 93-100%, respectively. Inoculation of indigenous mycorrhizal fungi is to be a promising way to optimize the production of vigorous seedling stocks species which are economically and ecologically important in the reforestation of degraded tropical peat swamp forests.
Keywords: Tropical peat swamp forest, reforestation, inoculation, mycorrhizal fungi, indigenous
45 Abstracts
MONITORING REHABILITATION AREA ALONG KRUENG ACEH (ACEH RIVER) BY USING WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK (WSN)
Nasri Ibrahim
Polytechnic State Lhokseumawe, Indonesia
ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to monitor a 50 km rehabilitation area along Krueng Aceh (Aceh River) using Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). Currently, direct monitoring is not efficient due to the vast area that must be covered. The technology of WSN offers real time area monitoring. This is conducted by using internet network or local area network so that efforts to destroy rehabilitation area can be prevented earlier. WSN system consists of a sensor to detect environment condition, and transceiver to send information. By installing this WSN equipment along Krueng Aceh, it is expected that river monitoring could be performed effectively so that Krueng Aceh area could be preserved.
46 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
AN IN-SITU REMEDIATION TECHNOLOGICAL APPROACH FOR CONTAMINATED SITE
Zainal Zakaria
Gas Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Skudai, Johor, Malaysia Fax : +60 75581463, E-mail: zainalz@fkkksa .utm.my,
ABSTRACT Hydrocarbon contamination can be highly toxic at very low concentration. This can cause serious damage to our environment and public health. In recent years, accidental oil spill, leaking from underground storage and pipeline are getting more and more attention from various parties. Many research works were carried out to improve the understanding of the mobilization, transport mechanism and fate of hydrocarbon. To minimize the risk of public exposure to the contaminants, a detailed site evaluation and its remediation works must be conducted immediately. This makes bioremediation one of the most cost effective means of spill cleanup especially in cases of in -situ bioremediation. In this paper, evaluation and its bioremediation process groundwater contamination by light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) will be discussed. In order to achieve the abovementioned objective, a case study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of biosurfactant used in remediating the contaminated groundwater resulting from gas chemical leakage. The results of different sets of control tests for both groundwater and soil samples indicate that the surfactant used, has speeded up the bioremediation process. A similar result was obtained when a particular combination of bacteria cultures and nutrients are applied. Therefore, both can also be considered for the in-situ bioremediation of the contaminated groundwater and soil. The combination used was non toxic and biodegradable. As a conclusion, the in-situ remediatiol1 technology can be used to minimize the exposure to chemical and hydrocarbon contamination. With the hydrocarbon demands and chemical usage increasing more and more everyday, the future will be exposed to more contamination. But with this solution, the future of an environment that is free from hydrocarbon and chemica'i contamination will be a reality.
Keywords: Biosurfactant, Bioremediation, contaminotion, condensate, groundwater
47 CARBON D AIR QUALITY
SPATIAL POLICY AND THE ISSUE OF CARBON EMISSION IN PEATLANDS
Herbert Diemont, Henk Ritzema, Raymond Schrijver, Jan Verhagen*, Caspar Verwer and Henk Westen
Wageningen-UR. *E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT Peatlands cover some 3% of the Earth's land area and store about one-third of global soil carbon. In a pristine state, most peatlands are probably climate neutral, but subject to degradation, peatlands become significant sources of CO , Peatlands degrade after drainage or extraction of 2 above and below ground biomass. In temperate zones peatland drainage is often related to dairy farming and substrate mining for horticulture and energy whereas in the tropics peatlands are drained for agricultural land uses like oil palm and pine apple. In all cases degradation includes emission of CO , More dramatic CO emissions are related to fires which are mainly found in 2 2 tropical peatland and are associated with land clearing for smallholder plots and large scale plantations. With degraded peatlands being large sources of CO emissions it is important to 2 analyze how and to what extent carbon emissions can be dealt with in spatial planning. In this paper we will present ideas on how to incorporate the carbon function in spatial planning using examples from Sarawak and The Netherlands.
48 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
PERIODIC TREND OF LIVE FUEL MOISTURE IN PEAT SWAMP iFOREST: PRELIMINARY RESULTS
Ahmad Ainuddin Nuruddin* and Mohd. Khairul Abdullah
Techno-economics and Policy Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia *E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT Knowledge and information on the trend live fuel moisture are very important in understanding the risk of forest fire in peat swamp forests. However, studies on periodic trend of live fuel in peat swamp forests in Malaysia are lacking. The objectives of this study were to investigate the trend of live fuel in peat swamp forest and the relation of live fuel moisture with weather. This study was conducted at compartment 6 of Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve. Four trees of Macaranga sp., the dominant species were selected randomly in a plot of 10 x 10m. For each tree, one matured leaf and shoot was taken every two days for two months. Wet weight and dry weight were taken for each sample to obtain the moisture content. Data collected were analyzed and correlated to weather. Results showed that shoot moisture content was 209% as compared to 182% for matured leaf. The maximum value of moisture content for matured leaf was 290% on 17 July 2007, while for shoot was 269% on 16 August 2007. Minimum value for both matured leaf and shoot were 111% on 1 September 2007 and 124% on 2 July 2007. The results also showed live fuel moisture fluctuates with weather but the relationships were minimal. As a conclusion, the matured leaf and shoot have different moisture content and fluctuate with weather.
49 Abstracts
CARBON MARKETS & AVOIDED DEFORESTATION: OPPORT'UN'ITI'ES AND CHALLENGES liN INDONESIA
Christopher Theriot
1082 Ferdon Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA E-maH: [email protected]
ABSTRACT With 20 million hectares of peat-land swamps and the world's third largest forestry holdings, Indonesia stands to gain from avoided deforestation and the global carbon markets. Avoided deforestation (AD), or in technical terms, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) has the potential to help protect biodiversity and enhance the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities in addition to addressing climate change. While both business and policy actors believe that AD can create business opportunities while addressing climate change at the same time, REDD schemes present risks that w ill require careful management. The structure of an avoided deforestation project is understood, but how to impl'ement a project in Indonesia remains a challenge, especia "'y under conditions of Indonesia's weak central and decentralized governance and civil institutions. This paper considers the drivers and impacts of deforestation in Indonesia. It then reviews the economics of AD and explores key challenges to implementing avoided deforestation projects in Indonesia for the government and to business.
Key Drivers of Deforestation • Transmigration program - An initiative of the Indonesian Government to move people from densely populated areas (eg. Java) to less populous areas (eg. Kalimantan); - Government aUocates land rights to transmigrants for agricultural activities; to manage population distribution, ,improve rural people standard of I,iving, and increase utilization of natural resources • Increasing global demand for wood products - Indonesia exports raw materials, e.g. timber and wood pulp, to China and China exports finished products globally; - Exploitation of Indonesian forests has increased as an impact of the 1998 logging ban in China • Clearing of space for Pal m Oil plantations - Driven by increasing demand for biodiesel in Europe; Crude Pa lm Oil price has increased along with commodity price; - Chinese and Malaysian companies, along with their Indonesian partners, have unveiled plans to spend billions of dollars on huge palm-oil plantations
Case Study: U la Masen Project
Project Execution Challenges: • Legal protection: While the Special Autonomy Law for the Province of Aceh gives the project some legal basis in the province, it is still awaiting the Government of Indonesia's legislation on forest planning, management and use expected in 2008. • Setti ng Baseline Data: Projects require quality data to determine baseline levels ofdeforestation
50 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
in target areas. Depending on the baseline chosen, there are differences in the potential pool of carbon credits and estimates vary between provinces. • Mon.itoring: Forest cover will be monitored by satellite and aerial sensors and carbon stocks by field measurements and modeling. Monitoring must account for change in forest cover and change in carbon stocks and emissions of non-C02 gases. • Scale: Debate continues about the geographkal, scale for baseline calculations and whether they should be national, sub-national, or project based. • Financing: Two factors win influence financing; 1. whether AD is adopted in a post 2012 climate agreement and emission credits are approved, 2. whether AD is market or fund based. • Benefits Sharing for the Community: The project needs to ensure the equitable and effective sharing of tax revenue from carbon financing schemes such that communities living in and around the forests can benefit from improved health care, education, infrastructure, & agricultural improvements like micro-irrigation
CARBON CONTENTS IN, FRESHWATER PEATlAND FOREST OF DANAU SENTARUM NATIONAL PARK
Gusti Z. Anshari
Pusat Penelitian Keanekaragaman Hayati dan Masyarakat Lahan Basah (Centre for Wetlands People and Biodiversity), Universitas Tanjungpura, West Kalimantan, Indonesia
ABSTRACT Danau Sentarum National Park (DSNP) is one area of conservation importance for peat-forming habitats in the tropic. The peats in this park are recorded to occur since Late Quaternary, and might have played an important rol'e in the past and current global Carbon cycles. This paper is a preliminary study on Carbon store in peat swamp forest in DSNP, and aims to calculate Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in peat layers. The research was conducted in 2007. Samples consisted of 5 cores, with peat depths between 195 and 965 cm. Carbon and Nitrogen contents from these peats were analyzed with CHNOS Elemental Analyzer (Elementar Vario EI II). In t his st udy, all peat cores are from the freshwater peat. The average values of bulk density, and 3 ca rbon content in t he freshwater peat are 103 kg.m- , and 53%. And, the Carbon density ranges from 1000 to 1700 t/ha in completely deforested site, and between 3000 and 4000 t/ha in logged over forest. The variability of Carbon Density is strongly associated with the spatial distribution of peat depths, which seems to be highly variable in this park.
Keywords: freshwater peat carbon, Danau Sentarum National Park, Carbon density
51 Abstracts
SOIL CARBONI LOSS UNDER DIFFERENT LAND CLEARING TECHNIQUES AND AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS ON TROPICAL PEATLAND
M. Zulkefli*, L.K.C. Liza Nuriati, A.B. Ismail and J. Jamaluddin
MARDI, GPO Box 12301,50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia *E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT Measurement of CO 2 flux was carried out at five locations at MARDI Peat Research Station in Sessang, Sarawak. They represent five different types of land clearing, namely felling-burning (FB), felling-stacking outside the plot (FSO), felling-stacking-chipping (FSC), se'lective-ciearing (SC) and forest. The CO 2flux was measured using static chamber method connected to a portable infrared gas analyzer. Soil CO2flux exhibited diurnal variation, peak during afternoon and increased with the extent of disturbances caused by forest clearing. The highest soil CO 2emission was recorded 2 I from FB plot (900 mg m- h- ) followed by zero burning plot (FSO and FSC) with the amount 2 I around 450 mg m- h- . In FB, FSC and FSC plots, the soil C02 fluxes remained high for more than three years. Emission of CO2was highly correlated with soil temperature (r2=0.86) . Annual CO 2 flux from the peat soil surface varies significantly among land clearing techniques. The highest I estimated annual carbon loss as CO 2 emission was 48.3 Mt ha- yl under Felling-Burning area. Land clearing methods using FSO and FSC significantly reduced the emission of CO2 with the I estimated C loss around 33 Mt C ha- yl. Soil CO2flux under different agriculture systems varies 2 I with crop types. The highest CO 2emissions was recorded under oil palm (150-200 mg m- h- ), 2 1 2 I followed by pineapple (120-150 mg m- h- ), jackfruit (100-120 mg m- h- ) and sweet potato (80 2 1 110 mg m- h- ) . There was no clear evidence on the effect of water table depth on CO flux. High 2 soil CO 2flux under oil palm may be influenced by a higher degree of peat decomposition, as the plot was planted a'imost 10 years earlier.
Keywords: CO emission peatland, land clearing technique, carbon loss 2
52 Poster Presentations ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY
WILD FLOWERING 'PLANTS IN SOME REGtONS OF SHABIAT* MISURATA
Salah. M. Eldanna
E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT The present study area lies on the north of Shabiat Misurata. This Shabia is located between the 15°20' - 14°46' Longitude east and 32°27' - 31"45' Latitude north. The Land rises gradually from the seashore to the extreme south of the region to reach about 200m above the sea level. The 2 total area of Shabiat M isurata is estimated at 4000 km • It is bounded on the north and the east by the sea, on the west Shabiat AI-margib, and on the south by Shabiat Beniwalid and Sirt. The climate of the region in general is mild, the distribution of mean monthly temperature shows a maximum 29°C in August and minimum 12°C in January. The mean annual humidity is about (69.61%). The annual rainfall was estimated at 125 ml, between October and March. About 241 species belonging to 171 genera and 46 families have been collected from the different localities in the area. Seven families belong to Monocotyledons and 39 families were Dicotyledons. The analysis of this collection in relation to the number of species and genera belonging to each family shows that the Poaceae and Liliaceae are the largest families in the Monocotyledon group followed by the family Asteraceae and Fabaceae in the Dicotyledon group. Full information of plants was recorded in the field. A brief botanical description of each of the 23 medicinal plants is provided. This arrangement is thought to be more convenient for the reader than the phylogenetical arrangement. Phytogeographical analysis of the collected species shows that the Mediterranean plants are dominant with a total of 51 species.
* Municipality
53 Abstracts
ABUNDANCE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS SPECIES FOUND AT BURNED AND UNBURNED AREAS OF KLiAS PEAT SWAMP FOREST, BEAUFORT, SABAH
Andy Russel MojioP*, Audrey Adelia Eliseusl, Anna Merlyn Aloysius', Gloria Muring Ganang', Walter Lintangah' and Narbert NaslyZ
'School of International Tropical Forestry, Locked Bag 2073, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; 2Sabah Forestry Department, Locked Bag 68, 90009 Sandakan, Sabah; *E-mail : [email protected]
ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to compare the abundance and diversity of medicinal plants found in burned and unburned areas of Klias peat swamp forest, Beaufort. There were sixteen (16) plots estabij,shed with the size of 25m x 25m for each plot with a totall area of 1 ha. AU plots were establisl1ed using random sampling method and Simpson's Index and Important Value (IV) were used to determine the diversity and abundance of the species. The result of the study shows that 11 species have been found in burned area while 10 species at unburned area. Important medicinall plant species identified were Stenochlaena palustris, Melastoma malabathricum, Lygodium flexuosum, and C1idemia hirta. The most abundant medicinal plant species found in burned area was Stenochlaena palustris with 185 percent (%). While in unburned area, the most abundant medicinal plants were Hedychium longicornutum and Lygodium flexuosum with 55 percent (%) each. Simpson's Index was higher with 0.55 in burned area compared in unburned area with only 0.14. In Simpson's Index as the value of Index increases, the diversity will decrease and this proved that diversity of medicinal plants in unburned area was slightly higher than the burned area. This situation might be caused by previous land clearing due to burning and small scales land-use activities at the edges of Klias peat swamp forest. More research is needed in order to gain more precise data.
Keywords: Medicinal plants, peat swamp forest, abundance and diversity
54 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF THREE INDIGENOUS TREE SPECIES (Cratoxylum arborescens (Vahl) Blume, Alstonia spathulata Blume and Stemonurus scorpioides Becc.) PLANTED AT BURNED AREA IN KLiAS PEAT SWAMP FOREST, BEAUFORT, SABAH
Andy Russel MojioP*, Narbert Nasly2, Gloria Muring Ganang\ Anna Merlyn Aloysius1 and Audrey Adelia Eliseus1
'School of International Tropical Forestry, Locked Bag 2073, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; 2Sabah Forestry Department, Locked Bag 68,90009 Sandakan, Sabah; *E-mail : [email protected]
ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to evaluate the growth performance of three indigenous tree species planted under open area planting technique of burned area at Klias Peat Swamp Forest, Beaufort, Sabah. Three indigenous tree species were used in this study, namely, Cratoxylum arborescens (Va hi) Blume (Geronggang), Alstonia spathulata Blume (Pulai) and Stemonurus scorpioides Becc. (Katok). A total of 45 seedlings for each species were examined using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with spacing of 3m x 3m. Data collection for height, diameter and survivality was recorded every 2 weeks within ten (10) weeks period since the seedlings were planted. Results from this study showed that the growth performallce of Geronggang species is much better than the Pulai species, while all the Katok seedlings died after week 6 in tihis experiment. The Geronggang species have the average mean height increment of 24.17 cm and an average mean diameter increment of 2.76 mm, while Pulai species have an average mean height increment of 9.36 cm and an average mean diameter im:rement of 1.86 mm. For the survivality results, it shows that the Geronggang species has the highest sUlrvi,vall rate at 93.33% and Pulai species with 86.67%. There is a significant difference in terms of relative height growth rate between Geronggang and Pulai species, however, there is no significant difference in terms of relative diameter growth rate at significant level of P :s; 0.05. The findings indicate that Geronggang and Pulai are suitable to be planted at burned area in Klias peat swamp forest for the purpose of reforestation using open area planting technique, while the Katok species is not suitable due to environment consideration. The better growth performance of the Geronggang and Pulai species are because they can easily adapt to the open planting area at the study site.
Keywords: peat swamp forest, burned forest area, indigenous species, growth performance, environment factors
55 Abstracts
INSECT COMMUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DECOMPOSITION OF PLANTAIN SQUIRREL CARCASS IN A PEAT SWAMP FOREST
Nor Aliza Abdul Rahim l and Madinah Adrus2
IFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Para Clinical Sciences, University Malaysia Sarawak; 2Department of Zoology, Faculty Resource Science and Technology, University Malaysia Sarawak
ABSTRACT This study was carried out in a peat swamp forest at UNIMAS campus from 24 August 2007 to 17 January 2008 using plantain squirrels (CaIJosciurus notatus) carcasses to observe the decomposition stages and insect communities associated with the decomposition process. Ambient temperature and relative humidity of the study area, and body temperature of the carcasses were recorded twice daily throughout the experiment. A total of 19 species from five orders and eight families were collected from all carcasses. The dominant necrophagous species found on the decomposing carcasses was Chrysomyia megacephala (Calliphoridae). Other necrophagous insects collected were C. rufifacies (Calliphoridae), houseflies (Muscidae) and flesh flies (Sarcophagidae). Incidental insects such as cockroaches (Blattidae) were recorded on the first day and ants (Formicidae) were recorded throughout the decomposition process. We also coUected some scavanger species, carrion beetles (Silphidae) and rove beetles (Staphylinidae) from the carcasses. This study is the first to document peat swamp forest insects associated with the decomposition process of plantain squirrel carcasses. This data may contribute in the future study of ecology and forensic entomology related to peat swamp forest.
Keywords: carcasses, decomposition stages, peat swamp forest, ecology, forensic entomology
56 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
FAUNISTI'C COMPOSITION OF ODONATA (INSECTA) IN A PEAT SWAMP FOREST, KOTA SAMARAHAN, SARAWA'K
Kimberly Ador and Fatimah Abang
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
ABSTRACT A peat swamp forest is an important source for the maintenance of biodiversity and is known to harbour odonate species that can tolerate the acidic characteristic of this forest. This study aims at characterizing the faunistic composition of Odonata of a peat swamp forest in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak. Sampling using aerial net was conducted at two forested sites (10 27' 57.20" I'J, 110° 25' 31.72") in the vicinity of the UN/MAS campus during August 2007 to January 2008. Overall, a total of 292 individuals representing twenty-one species were sampled over an eighty-hour sampling effort. Twelve species were Anisopterans from two families, namely Libelluluidae and Megapodagrionidae while nine species were Zygopterans from the families Coenagrionidae and Platycnemididae. Coenagrionidae was dominant and mostly represented by Amphicnemis wal/aeii and Agriocnemis lemina. Both species seem to be salt tolerant and encountered in swampy areas. The results of this study also revealed a first record of Agriocnemis minima for Sarawak as well as a new record for Borneo, which ,is Teinobasis ruficollis. Prior to this study, Agriocnemis minima was known from Sabah and Brunei while Teinobasis ruficollis was only reported from Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Sumatra. Five species could be considered as rarely encountered, namely Amphicnemis annae, Podo/estes orienta/is, Tho/ymis til/a rg a, Rhyothemis phyllis and Orthetrum chrysis with one individual sampled for each species. The peat swamp forests of Kota Samarahan could be characterized by the occurrence of an interesting array of odonate species.
Keywords: Odonata, peat swamp, Agriocnemis minima, Teinobasis ruficol/is
57 Poster Presentations LAND USE (CONSERVATION, FORESTRY, AGRICULTURE, MINING AND SETTLEMENT)
EVALUATION OF UREA-N SOURCES ON CHILLI GROWN ON PEAT
A.H. Lim* and P. Vimala
MARDI, GPO Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia *E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT This study evaluates the yield of chilli grown on peat to urea, humate urea and an urea-N compound. Treatments consisted of urea and humate urea (HU) applied at 300 kg N/ha, and a locally produced urea-N based compound fertilizer (UNc) and an imported ammonium+nitrate-N based compound fertilizer (ANc) at 2.5 t/ha. The fertilizers were applied in three split applications with poultry manure (PM) at 6 t/ha applied as basal. Plant height obtained ranged from 87 cm to 102 cm, but there was no significant difference between any of the treatments. The yield obtained for urea was 11.68 t/ha and humate urea was 10.25 t/ha. Forthe imported ammonium-N compound the yield was 7.2 t/ha and for the locally produced urea-N compound the yield was 7.6 t/ha. There were no significant differences between any of the treatments. It is concluded that there was no advantage in using humate urea over urea as the N source. The locally produced and cheaper urea-N compound is as good as the imported compound.
58 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
DETECTION OF GANODERMA OF OIL PALM IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF SARAWAK
Rizuan, S.M. *, Meekiong, K. and M. Sepiah
Department of Plant Science and Environmental Ecology Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak; *E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT The status of Ganoderma diseases was investigated by reviewing the progress of the disease development on oil palm mainly planted on peat land. The study was conducted throughout Betong Division upward to Mukah Divison in oil palm plantations of 2 to 20 years of age. Several areas in the plantations were spotted with the appearance of Ganoderma diseases and formation of fruit bodies were observed. Five estates within the visited area were found to be infected by Ganoderma and the fruit bodies were collected for further investigation.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON JOSAPINE PINEAPPLE GROWN ON PEAT SOIL
A.H. Mohd Johaary and A. Abu Kasim
MARDI, GPO Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ABSTRACT The assessment of the impact of technology on Josapine pineapple grown on peat soi'ls was conducted using a structured questionnaire involving 105 respondents in Malaysia. Generally, the Josa pine variety had met t he needs of the farmers where a majority (92%) of the respondents expressed satisfaction with its performance, while 82.7% stated that it was better than other pineapple varieties. A majority of t he farmers (72.4%) started planting this variety between the year 2001 and 2002. The success of earlier farmers in securing a higher market price for Josapine had encouraged others to plant this variety. Among the strengths of Josapine are its sweeter taste, marketability, relatively higher price, as well as the hardiness of the fruit and the planting materials. The period of planting is also shorter than other pineapple varieties. On the other hand, its weaknesses include the high cost of planting materials which are not easily available, and its susceptibility to bacteria heart rot (BHR). There is also the need for more intensive crop care and maintenance. Taking into consideration its strengths and weaknessess, the strategies to enhance the production of Josapine pineapple has been proposed. These include planting Josapine in mineral soil, improvement in the delivery system and the supply of planting materials, and the enhancement of mechanization and automation to reduce the cost of production.
Key words: Josapine pineapple variety, farmers
59 Abstracts
USING OF WORLDVIEW-l SATELLITE IMAGE FOR THE DELINEATION OF LAND COVERS RELATED TO PEAT SOIL OCCURRENCE IN U MINH HA NATIONAL PARK, VIETNAM
Vo Quang Minh*, Huynh Thi Thu Huong and Vo Thi Guong
Can Tho University, Vietnam *E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT The area of peatland was estimated from Worldview 1 satellite images using Principal Component Analyses (PCA), the Soil Brightness Index (5BI) and Digital Number (ON). Validation measurement was performed at 40 sites in the study area in the dry season of 2007. At each site, land cover data was collected from the height and plant diameter, and the distance between trees. Peat thickness, the depth of the ground water table and degree of inundation were also measured. A total of 7 different land cover types were identified within the area, including MelaleuCG forest of less than 3 year old, 3 to 4 year old, mixed forest, Diplazium esculentum and Terminalia bellerica, Acacia mangium, Sacchuarum spontaneum, and inundated surface. Peat soil was found under Melaleuca forest. The height, stem diameter and distance between Melaleuca trees was positively correlated with peat depth, and negatively correlated with 5B!. Therefore, the occurrence and depth of peat soils can be calculated based on the factors of image digital number (ON), and the above parameters. The peat soil map of the study area was delineated using the Worldview 1 satellite image combined with the regression equation. The peat soil map showed that peat soil more than 20cm in thickness covered 1,579 ha, of which, 1,236 ha has a peat layer deeper than 40cm.
Keywords: Peat occurrence, peat thickness, Principle component analysis, Digital number, Soil brightness index, MelaleuCG, satellite image
60 International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland (Kuching 2008), 19-22 August
VANISHING TRIPA
Susilo Sudarman
YEL/PanEco Foundation
ABSTRACT The coastal Tripa peat swamp forest is located within the world renowned Leuser Ecosystem, an area of exceptional biodiversity in northern Sumatra, Indonesia. It is also a GRASP (Great Ape Survival Plan, LlNEP/UNESCO) priority site for the Critically Endangered Sumatran Orangutan. Even though it lies within the Leuser Ecosystem, the coastal Tripa peat swamp forest has no formal protected status (e.g. conservation status), unlike the nearby Kluet and Singkil swamps (part of the Gunung Leuser National Park and a formal nature reserve, respectively). Today, the Tripa swamp is in terrible condition and seriously threatened by the activities of oil palm concessions, that are not operating in accordance with Indonesian policy and law and are not adhering to national and international guidelines for peatland management. In the early 1990's the Tripa peat swamp was still covered by circa 60,000 ha of primary peat swamp forest in the Districts of Nagan Raya and Aceh Barat Daya, meaning significant carbon stocks above ground, but with considerably larger carbon stocks below ground in the peat itself. A field assessment in November 2007 by YEL/PanEco Foundation, the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and UNSYIAH (University of Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh), found total above ground carbon stock in the remaining 31.410 ha of forest (primary forest 24.088 ha, and secondary forest 7.231 hal to be circa 4,049,335 t. Below ground carbon stocks (using only data from within the depth o1 range 130-505 cm, were found to range from 328 to 2240 Mg ha •
61 Abstracts
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF Stenochlaena palustris (Burm) Bedd. FOLLOWING THE OCCURRENCE OF FIRE IN SECONDARY AREA OF PEAT SOIL IN KOTA SAMARAHAN, SARAWAK, MALAYSIA
Bulan, P., Geffry, U.J., Wan Sulaiman, W. H., Ipor I., Tawan, C. and Meekiong, K.
Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
ABSTRACT A study was carried out to determine the growth characteristics of 5tenochlaena palustris for a one-year period following the occurrence of fire in secondary area of peat soil. Four (0-15,16-30, 31-45 and 46-60 cm) different depths of soil were extracted and were left to germinate ex-situ. Regeneration results indicated that 5. palustris started germinating or sprouting within eleven months after occurrence of fire. The highest germination was 31.46 %, obtained at soil depth of 31-45 cm. Germination of 5. palustris exhibited no significant difference in its sprouting habits in different soil depths. Its biomass was highest for seedlings obtained in 0-15 cm soil depth where its dry-weight was 2.16 g. The tallest seedling of 5. palustris was 43.1 cm while the shortest was 30.0 cm recorded in 0-15 cm and 31.45 cm of soil depth, respectively. Germination and sprouting of 5. palustris in the post-fire of peat soil was observed not accelerated by its soil germplasm bank but was influenced by other ecological factors especially the dispersing agents prevallence in the area. The increase in availability of nutrients from the heating of soil organic matter and acceleration of biological mineralization due to changes in soil pH and reduction of C:N ratios helped to improve sprouting and seedling growth of 5. palustris to the post-fire condition in the peat soil.
62 Poster Presentations SOILS AND HYDROLOGY
THE EFFECT OF LIME ON DISSOLVEJ) ORGANIC CARBON FLUXES OF TWO ALFISOLS IN NORTH OF IRAN
* Mossadeghi Mona, Lakzian Amir and Haghnia Gholam-Hossein
Ferdowsi University of Mashad *E-mail: mmossad [email protected]
ABSTRACT Dissolved Orga nic Matter (DOM) is an important constituent of soil solution that plays a role in many chemical and biological processes in soils. Tremendous strides have been made in the past 25 years to more fully describe the composition of DO M and its role in the soil. Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) is one of the important parts of the DOM. Because DOC easily moves in the soil profile, it can reach water resources very quickly and ca uses water pollution. So, studying DOC fluxes in the soil and the ways to control its movement seems necessary. Many environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, soi l solution chemistry, plant species, microorganisms type, C02 concentration, pH and soil management practices such as tillage, fertilization and liming affect DON and DIN content in soil samples. Liming, i.e., the application of calcite is the main agro chemical treatment in low-pH soils that aims at neut ralizing acid ic inputs and restoring buffering capacity to the soils in many counties such as Iran. The effect of lime, and soil solution chemistry on soi l organic matter status and so il biological prope rties are of importance to agricultural su stainability. Many studies have shown that liming in crease pH values in the forest floor within a short time . The pH increase in the forest floor is generally accompanied by a stimulation of biological activity which is regarded as a positive effect, leading to the release of nutrients that were wit hd rawn from Internal cycling in the accumulating humus. An experiment was carried out using co mplete randomized desi,gn with factorial arrangements (Two soil samples, mainly different in texture, and two level of liming in six different times) with three replications. At each time the soil units were sacrificed for determining DOC, pH in soil extracts and soil respiration measured at these times simultaneously. All treatments were incubated for 60 days at 27 oC and at the field capacity moisture. The results of this experiment showed that with lime application, DOC content of soil solutions significantly increased in the limed treatment than in the control in both soils during the period of 60 days of incubation. Increasing pattern of DOC values of two soils were similar, however the intensity of lime effect is different may be because of different soils textures anyhow. It seems that mineralization of organic matter increased in both soils and for that reason the amounts of DOC increased. The results also showed that microbial respira.tion went up in all lime treatments. It is in agreement with the results of mineralization of organic matter.
Keywords: Soil organic matter leaching, liming, dissolved organic carbon
63 Abstracts
PEAT SOIL STABILIZATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF LIGHT WEIGHT FOUNDATION ON STABILIZED PEAT SOIL: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY AND NUMERICAL MODELLING
Safawi, M .I., Maarouf, A.L., Kolay, P.K., Linda, S.L.B.T., Kamal, A. and Aminur, M.R.
Dept. of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti M alaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
ABSTRACT Peat or highly organic soil is a major problem in the infrastructure development ofthe coastal areas in Sarawak. Peat soils are generally considered as problematic soil in any construction project, because of high compressibility and very low shear strength. With the rapid industrialization and popu lation growth, it has become necessary to have infrastructure facilities in peat-land as well. Previous case histories revealed that several construction methods such as displacement method, replacement method, stage loading and surface reinforcement method, pile supported embankment method, light weight fill raft method, deep in-situ chemical stabilization method and thermal precompression method have been employed in Sarawak as well. It is observed that some of the projects were technically successful while others had settlement and several failure problems after completion. Generally these projects had high financial cost. In this study, an attempt is made to propose a new method of construction which is a combination of the above methods. The first step is stabilizing the peat soil. The second step is finding lightweight foundation (Foam concrete) on stabilized peat soil in which a construction guideline is to be formulated based on numerical and field studies. Finally, Finite Element Geotechnical Engineering software PLAXIS will be used to validate the behavior of original peat soil as well as stabilized peat soil.
LOSSES OF DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON (DOC) FROM NATU.RAL AND DEGRADED TROPICAL PEATLANDS IN CENTRAL KALIMANTAN, BORNEO, INDONESIA
Sam Moorel, Vincent GaucP, William Goslingl, Susan Page2 and Chris Evans3 lThe Open University, 2University of Leicester, 3Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor
ABSTRACT There are over 27 million hectares (Mha) of peatlands in South East Asia which is approximately equivalent to the land area of the British Isles. Of this, 83% (22.5 Mha) is in Indonesia making the country of huge interest when looking at losses of DOC from tropical peatlands. Three sites of differing land cover (pristine, degraded and recently burnt) will be the subject of investigation in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Sampling will take place over two three-month studies; Dry Season (June-August '08) and Wet Season (Jan-Mar '09). Water samples will be taken back to the UK for quantitative and qualitative analysis and final DOC fluxes calculated for areas of differing land cover. Studies on temperate wetlands have demonstrated that sources, sinks and the transport of DOC are a function of a complex set of interrelated biotic and abiotic processes. This project will provide the first detailed investigation of these functions and processes for tropical peatland catchments subject to a variety of land uses and differing levels of degradation.
64 Poster Presentatio CARBON STORAG ~E AND AIR QUALITY
HOW MUCH CARBON IS STORED IN TROPICAL PEATLANDS?
Christopher J. Banks and Susan E. Page
Department of Geography, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LEI 7RH, UK
ABSTRACT Quantifying how much carbon is stored in tropical peatlands is essential given current interest in greenhouse gas emissions and the role that tropical peatlands could play in carbon offset and trading agreements. This poster provides a summary of the findings from the first CARBOPEAT Technical Report including a literature review of tropical peatland area and carbon content. The importance of tropical peatlands in the global carbon cycle is emphasised by comparisons with global peat inventories and other sinks/sources of atmospheric CO • The global area of tropical 2 peatland is found to be between 267,200-565,800 km 2 of which over 65% is located in Southeast Asia. The dominance of Southeast Asia is established by the fact that over 96% of the stored carbon in tropical peat is in Southeast Asia. This store has accumulated over thousands of years but changes in land use have converted large areas from carbon sinks to carbon sources and this is key to the current importance of tropical peatlands.
CARBOPEAT: Carbon-Climate-Human interactions in Tropical Peatlands (Vulnerabilities, risks and mitigation measures)
Christopher J. Banks and Susan E. Page
Department of Geography, University of Leicester, Universirty Road, Leicester, LEI 7RH, UK
ABSTRACT This poster will explain more about the European Union (EU) funded CARBOPEAT project. CARBOPEAT is concerned with tropical peatlands; in particular their role in the carbon cycle, climate cha nge and human interactions. The project focuses on vulnerabilities of and risks to carbon pools in tropical peatland as well as mitigation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, through 'wise use' of natural resources. Involving principal partners from Europe and Southeast Asia, CARBOPEAT has an International Expert Network (lEN) from over 30 universities, NGOs and other interested partners. The membership of the lEN is still being expanded but at present has a membership of about 40 people, representing international expertise in peat and peat lands and their role in the global carbon cycle. An important objective of CARBOP EAT is to involve all stakeholders and details will be included on the poster of how you can influence t he outcomes of CARBOPEAT. In addition, the poster will provide details of major outputs to date (this conference and workshop is a key output) and will outline futulre activities.
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