PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Conservation and Sustainable Use of Tropical Peat Swamp Forests:Integrated Management Plan
Development and Implementation
N. Abdul Rahim, Efransjah & H. KhaliAzizUNDP/GEF Funded Project
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Outline
• Tropical peat swamp forests (PSF) and their threats
• Peat swamp forest project funded by UNDP/GEF & Malaysian govt.
• Results of Multidisciplinary or landscape assessment
• Development of Integrated Mngt Plan• Conclusions
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Peat swamp forests
• A special type of forest that forms and survive under unique conditions
• Presence of excess water dominates the ecosystem
• Provides vital services & functions
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Issues and threats – global level
(MA Synthesis Report- Wetland & Water, 2005)
• Loss and degradation of wetlands is more rapid than that of other ecosystems
• Contributing factors: land conversion, infrastructure dev, water withdrawal, eutrophication & pollution, over harvesting
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Issues and threats at the local level
• Fragmentation of peat swamp complex• Protection of river systems• Lowered water table due to:
– Drainage activities– Land conversion activities– Harvesting activities
• Leading to amongst others, increased fire hazard
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Extent and Distribution: In Malaysia (1.45 mil ha); Peninsular Malaysia (0.3 mil ha); Sarawak
(1.06 mil.ha); and Sabah (0.09 mil ha)
Table: Peat swamp forests in Peninsular Malaysia (mil.ha)
1981 1991 1999
Total
PFE
Stateland
0.674
0.222
0.451
0.343
0.216
0.126
0.300
0.192
0.108
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Peat Swamp Forest ProjectPeat Swamp Forest Project
Initiated by the M’sian Govt and UNDP/GEF in 1999, the five-year project started in June 2002.
Promote conservation & sustainable use of PSFs and associated wetlands ecosystems, by demonstrating this at three project sites
Develop & implement plans, which encourage processes to ensure conservation of globally significant biodiversity
Contribute towards better understanding & management of PSFs in M’sia and in the region.
Initiated by the M’sian Govt and UNDP/GEF in 1999, the five-year project started in June 2002.
Promote conservation & sustainable use of PSFs and associated wetlands ecosystems, by demonstrating this at three project sites
Develop & implement plans, which encourage processes to ensure conservation of globally significant biodiversity
Contribute towards better understanding & management of PSFs in M’sia and in the region.
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
PROJECT AREAS
SEPPSF(87,045 ha)
LOAGANBUNUT(10,736 ha)
KLIASPENINSULA
(3600 ha)
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
• LARGEST PSF AREA IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA (53%)
• PROBABLY THE MOST INTACT TROPICAL PSF AREA IN MAINLAND ASIA
PROJECT AREA
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Main Activities:
• Ecological & biodiversity assessments• Hydrological monitoring & assessments • Timber assessment • Socio-economic appraisals• Management Plans development• Demonstrations by MP implementation• Database and Monitoring system • Awareness Raising• Strengthening Local Capacity
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
BASELINE INFORMATION/ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS
(Multi-disciplinary Assessment or MDA)
OBJECTIVES
• To develop an updated picture of the current status for the sites
• To identify critical threats and problems• To design a practical and cost-effective
site monitoring system for the sites
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECTLocation of water monitoring wells along the transect
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Timber AssessmentVolume of commercial timbers Value of commercial timbers
MDG-1
MDG-2
MDX-2
MDX-2
PKMD/N
DSB MDX-1
BTG
BTGD
RAM
MAH
RIV
MEM
III
III
II
I
II
II
III
III
III
I
II II
MDX-2
MDG-2
RAM
MDG-1
D/NPKM
DSB
MEM
BTG
BTGD
MDX-1
MDX-2
MAH
MDX-2
RIV
Medium High
LowLow
Low
75 -110 m3/ha< 55 m3/ha
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Water Level from Ground (cm)
0
50
100
150
200
250
-1000
-900
-800
-700
-600
-500
-400
-300
-200
-100
0 100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
FLORISTIC DIVERSITY
221 out of a total of 238 taxa recorded found in the PSF
Significant tree species include:
a) Gonystylus bancanus (Ramin),
b) Durio carinatus and Tetramerista glabra
c) Alstonia angustiloba
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
FLORA
Koompassia malacensis(Kempas)
Cissus sp.
Monkey Lipstick
Calophyllum ferrugineum(Bintangor)
Gonystylus bancanus(Ramin)
Durio carinatus(Durian)
PeriukKera
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
MDA FINDINGS
AVIFAUNA
• 3 Globally Vulnerable species in Pekan, Pahang (Lesser Adjutant; Large Green Pigeon; Short-toed Coucal),
• 37 Globally Near Threatened species
Lesser Adjutant Crimson-winged Woodpecker Bushy-crested Hornbill
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
MDA FINDINGS
MAMMALS
• New records for the South East Pahang Peat Swamp Forests1. The Spotted-winged & Black-capped Fruit Bats,
2. Blanford’s False Serotine,
3. House Bat,
4. Low’s Squirrel,
5. Annandale’s Rat and
6. Flat-headed Cat
Malayan Sun Bear
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Socio-economy of local community
-63% depends on fish from PSF
- 36% depends on forest produce
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
OBJECTIVES OF PSF MANAGEMENT
• Conservation of biological diversity
• Maintenance of Physical Functions (Ecology Integrity)
• Promotion of Sustainable Use (socio -economic) – Log extraction and utilization by local communities
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Development of Site Specific Integrated Management Plan
Consultative Process (Core Team)
Information from Multi Disciplinary Assessment
(MDA)
Objectives of Management
Identification of System, Stress, Sources, Strategies & Success
5 S Framework for Conservation
Planning (Limited Use)
Proposed Management Zoning
Integrated Management Plan
Adaptive Management
Proposed Immediate Actions:
Synchronization with the local area planning exercise (ESA ZONATION)•Guidelines for State Land Logging (Interim)•Guidelines for Agric Development (Interim)
WIDER STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
KEY STRATEGY• Management zonation of PSF into 6 Zones.• Zones requires Multi-agency management
attention• PSF proposed as “Environmental Sensitive
Areas” (ESA) with 6 Zones • Management planning to synchronize with
Local Areas Planning.• Endorsement by policy makers & state
authority
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
PARTNERS
Key partners: Pahang Forestry Department, State Econ Planning Unit, and Town and Country Planning Dept.
Key Management Partners: All Agencies involved in land management at the district level- Forestry Dept, Land Office, Local Authority, Agric Dept, National Park, Drainage & Irrigation, Aboriginal Affairs, Envt. Dept. and private sectors
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Management zone 1B- Forest Reserves Extension
1. Application to extend forest reserves to achieve integrity.
2. Imposition of state land logging guidelines.
3. Closure of drainage canals after logging.
4. Development of fire management plan.
5. Ensure residual stand allowing maintenance of canopy cover (vegetation).
6. Development of Peat swamp rehabilitation plan.
7. Conservation water (hydraulic) regime
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Forest Reserve Zonation Based
on Environmental Sensitive Areas
(ESA)
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Management zone 2- Forest Reserves Buffer
1. Prevent further land alienation in the buffer zone.
2. Imposition of state land logging guidelines.
3. Closure of drainage canals after logging.
4. Development of fire management plan.
5. Ensure residual stand allowing maintenance of canopy cover (vegetation).
6. Development of Peat swamp rehabilitation plan.
7. Conservation water (hydraulic) regime.
8. Imposition of strict development guidelines in developed areas
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
INTEGRATED DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (IDBMS) DEVELOPMENT
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Publications
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
• Sustainability of the ecosystems: – manage within limits – balance and integrate conservation vs wise
use,– consider local knowledge, – involve all relevant sectors
• Landscape assessment & specific studies • Develop Integrated Mgmt Plan
– Action plans & guidelines• Progressive awareness raising • Participatory process• “Science-to-policy interface” output
Conclusions:
PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Thank youDanida