ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES CAUSED BY DEVELOPMENT OF PEATLAND LANDSCAPES IN CENTRAL KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA

摘要

In Indonesia peatland covers an area of 16 to 27 Mha and this ecosystem is vitally linked to environmental and conservation issues, as well as its economic value for human survival. These peatlands are, however, the subject of various land use pressures, including forestry, agriculture, energy and horticulture. A field study was carried out 6 years after the end of failed peatland development project shows that inappropriate and unsustainable forms of peatland management have resulted in degradation of the natural forest vegetation, drawdown of the peat water table, increase of peat surface and air temperatures and recurrent surface and ground fires. The last has been responsible for large emissions of carbon to the atmosphere with consequences for climate change processes. Implications of hydrology and microclimate for possible restoration options, focusing on the role of local people in reforestation of commercially important timber tree species are discussed.