LANDSCAPE AND ECOSYSTEM APPROACHES IN ADDRESSING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF PEAT SWAMP FORESTS IN MALAYSIA
Abdul Rahim Nik and Efransjah
Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong, 52109 Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: 03-62797808
Email: [email protected]
Peatlands and peat swamp forests (PSFs) are the most important of wetland types in terms of hydrology, biodiversity and ecological functions, accounting for about 70% of the total wetland areas in Malaysia. With rapid development and mounting population pressures on the natural resources, peatlands and PSFs in Malaysia are increasingly under threat. The major challenge is the growing demand for their conversion to other uses.
Peatlands and associated wetlands are very complex ecosystems in terms of their ecological processes, biodiversity, land and hydrological characteristics. Therefore, a landscape approach is required to assess all the relevant attributes including surface and subsurface water interactions.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to which Malaysia is a signatory, calls for the application of an ecosystem approach for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable manner. PSFs perform a wide range of services that are of value to society such as sediment control, flood storage, water purification, climate regulation, coastal protection and provide recreational opportunities.
Major threats to the conservation and sustainability of PSF have been identified and analysed through an initiative by the Malaysian Government. Supported by UNDP/GEF, the five-year project is being implemented to promote the conservation and wise use of the remaining PSFs and associated wetland ecosystems by demonstrating how this could be achieved at three sites in the states of Sarawak, Sabah and Pahang respectively.
The PSF Project has facilitated the State Governments in developing an integrated management plan (IMP), taking into account landscape and ecosystem considerations. Through an inter-sectoral consultation approach involving various state agencies as well as local communities, site-specific issues based on scientific findings were highlighted; mitigation measures were proposed and some undertaken; inter-agency coordination was strengthened; policy-making processes were initiated; and training and awareness raising programmes were conducted over the past two years. The holistic approach has been found to be effective, evident in the initial impacts achieved during the IMP formulation at the respective states.
Highlighted in this paper are some of the results, insights and lessons learnt from the management planning process in Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak.
For more information on this paper, please contact the author at the contact details above.
For more information on FRIM and the CFFPR Meeting, please contact Dr Mohd. Nor Mohd. Yusoff, Senior Director, Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). Email: [email protected]
