Conservation and Sustainable Use of Tropical Peat Swamp Forests: Integrated Management Plan Development and Implementation N. Abdul Rahim, Efransjah & H. KhaliAziz UNDP/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 forests A special type of forest that forms and survive under unique conditions Presence of excess water dominates the ecosystem Provides vital services & functions
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
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
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 0.674 0.343 0.300 PFE 0.222 0.216 0.192 Stateland 0.451 0.126 0.108
Peat 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.
PROJECT AREAS PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT SEPPSF (87,045 ha) KLIAS PENINSULA (3600 ha) LOAGAN BUNUT (10,736 ha)
PROJECT AREA LARGEST PSF AREA IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA (53%) PROBABLY THE MOST INTACT TROPICAL PSF AREA IN MAINLAND ASIA
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
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
Location of water monitoring wells along the transect PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Timber Assessment Volume of commercial timbers Value of commercial timbers < 55 m3/ha II 75-110 m3/ha II MDX-2 MDG-1 III MDG-2 MDX-2 II MAH MDX-2 I RAM MDG-1 Low MDG-2 MAH MDX-2 Medium MDX-2 RAM High I DSB III D/N II PKM BTG III BTGD III MDX-1 DSB D/N Low PKM BTG BTGD Low MDX-1 RIV II RIV MEM III MEM
300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1 Water Level from Ground (cm) -1000-900 -800-700 -600-500 -400-300 -200-100 0 100 200 0 50 100 150 200 250 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
FLORA Duriocarinatus(Durian) Calophylumferugineum (Bintangor) MonkeyLipstick Kompasiamalacensis (Kempas) Gonystylusbancanus (Ramin) Cisusp. PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT PeriukKera
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
MAMMALS MDA FINDINGS New records for the South East Pahang Peat Swamp Forests 1. 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 PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT Malayan Sun Bear
Socio-economy of local community PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT -63% depends on fish from PSF - 36% depends on forest produce
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
Development of Site Specific Integrated Management Plan Consultative Process (Core Team) Identification of System, Stress, Sources, Strategies & Success Information from Multi Disciplinary Assessment (MDA) 5 S Framework for Conservation Planning (Limited Use) Objectives of Management Proposed Management Zoning Adaptive Management WIDER STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION Proposed Immediate Actions: Synchronization with the local area planning exercise (ESA ZONATION) Guidelines for State Land Logging (Interim) Guidelines for Agric Development (Interim) Integrated Management Plan
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
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
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
Forest Reserve Zonation Based on Environmental Sensitive Areas (ESA)
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
INTEGRATED DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (IDBMS) DEVELOPMENT PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Publications PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Conclusions: 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 PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT
Thank you Danida PEAT SWAMP FOREST PROJECT