A large part of Brunei consists of peat swamp forests; a very special but vulnerable type of wetland forest. One unique element of these areas is their peat soil; a metres deep layer of soft organic material, formed over thousands of years under conditions of waterlogging. Peat swamp forest covers around 100,000 ha (17% of the land area) of Brunei. In contrast to neighbouring countries, the Brunei peat swamp forests are still relatively intact. It is estimated that 80% of peatlands are still covered by good quality peat swamp forest, the highest proportion of intact peat swamp forest in all of South East Asia – by far.
A large part of Brunei consists of peat swamp forests; a very special but vulnerable type of wetland forest. One unique element of these areas is their peat soil; a metres deep layer of soft organic material, formed over thousands of years under conditions of waterlogging.
Peat swamp forest covers around 100,000 ha (17% of the land area) of Brunei. In contrast to neighbouring countries, the Brunei peat swamp forests are still relatively intact. It is estimated that 80% of peatlands are still covered by good quality peat swamp forest, the highest proportion of intact peat swamp forest in all of South East Asia – by far.
WHY ARE BRUNEI’S PEAT SWAMP
FORESTS IMPORTANT?
The peat swamp forests of Brunei host a unique biodiversity, with species such as the Bornean Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi borneensis), Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus), the Storm’s Stork (Ciconia stormi), False Gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) and the Paint- ed terrapin (Batagur borneoensis).
Intact peatlands absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They store carbon not only in the trees, but also in the peat, which may reach up to 12 m in depth. In fact, peat swamps are key areas for limiting climate change. Losing these carbon dense areas will increase the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
They are also huge water storage reservoirs, reducing �ood peaks after heavy rainfall in downstream areas and maintaining minimum �ows in rivers during dry
periods. The peat swamps are safeguarding the water supply from the Belait River for the vital oil and gas industries of Brunei.
All of these ecosystem services depend on the good health of the peatlands.
(top) Carbon stored in vegetation and sediments
(bottom) Carbon is released when peat swamps are cleared
An ongoing action plan for Brunei peatlands has carried out several awareness and capacity building programmes and assessments in Brunei to gain support from government agencies, the private sector and the general public in the implementation of rehabilitation projects in degraded peatlands in Brunei. This work is being carried out by a project funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth O�ce of the UK Government and Standard Chartered Bank under the Heart of Borneo Initiative. With an encouraging response from participating stakeholders, Wetlands International plans to join this endeavour and to work closely with these stakeholders in future projects to rehabilitate degraded peatlands and to contribute towards better understanding of the importance of peatlands in Brunei as well as the region.
peatlands and to contribute towards better understanding of the importance of peatlands in Brunei as well as
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR THREATS
AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES
TO BRUNEI’S PEAT SWAMP FORESTS?
The major threat to peatlands is drainage for logging, agriculture or building roads. The forests die and the organic soil dries out so that peat areas are no longer able to provide their ecosystem services. The dry peat also becomes very susceptible to burning; all that remains is a very �re prone area.
The smog events which a�ect Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia are mostly due to burning peat swamps. In Indonesia, peat �res have become an almost annual problem, lasting for months and causing an incredible smoke problem. Drainage and �re events lead
to huge amounts of carbon being released to the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide, increasing
the rate of climate change.
The loss of peat through drainage and �re leads to land subsidence,
which may lead to problems of severe �ooding in a�ected
areas. The valuable hydrological functions of reducing �ood peaks and
maintaining minimum �ows in rivers are also lost. Moreover, the unique biodiversity, particularly the vegetation of the peat domes and the habitat of many rare species, is destroyed. Recovery may not occur unless measures are taken.
WHAT ARE
THE SOLUTIONS?
Conserve entire intact peat swamps.· · · ·
Restore drained or logged areas by blocking drainage canals and
by replanting, using appropriate species.· · · ·
Prevent and directly control �res. · · · ·
Help local people to �nd an income without harming the peatlands such as
sustainable forestry and ecotourism.
For further information please visit our website or contact our o�ces.
TO SUSTAIN AND RESTORE WETLANDS, THEIR RESOURCES AND BIODIVERSITY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
organic soil dries out so that peat areas are no longer able to provide their ecosystem services. The dry peat also becomes very susceptible to burning; all that remains is a very �re prone area.
The smog events which a�ect Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia are mostly due to burning peat swamps. In Indonesia, peat �res have become an almost
the rate of climate change.
The loss of peat through drainage and �re leads to land subsidence,
areas. The valuable hydrological functions of reducing �ood peaks and
maintaining minimum �ows in rivers are also lost. Moreover, the unique biodiversity, particularly the vegetation of the peat domes and the habitat of many rare species, is destroyed. Recovery may not occur unless measures are taken.
![Overcoming Limitations with Landsat Imagery for Mapping of Peat Swamp Forests … · 2013-01-25 · swamp forests [1] have been reduced to less than half their original extent [6],](https://static.documents.pub/doc/80x56/5ec509ccb8de365c8b745c5c/overcoming-limitations-with-landsat-imagery-for-mapping-of-peat-swamp-forests-2013-01-25.jpg)
