Authors:
J. Bathgate, M. Iqbal, Zulnaidi, S. Marpaung
Book:
Proceedings of the 15th International Peat Congress
Venue:
Kuching
Keywords:
basal-area, biological-recovery, biomass, meranti-trees, secondary-tropical-peat-swamp-forest, services-of-nature
Documentfile:
ipc16a-405pp9-12bathgate.pdf
Summary:
SUMMARY
APRIL group operates a half million ha of fiber plantation and restoration licenses on peatland in coastal Riau. Half
of this area is mixed peat swamp forest (MPSF) that has permanently been set aside from development. Prior to
becoming APRIL‘s, in an unregulated setting that then prevailed, the MPSF underwent uncontrolled local logging.
Stands that have been monitored since 2004 indicate that secondary forest is now recovering structure and biomass.
On heaviest disturbed sites Meranti spp. have become the commonest trees. Biodiversity is a future goal, for now
secondary forest is showing resilience and protected area management is working to secure what remains.
Production on 50% of the land, to finance and create a physical barrier around the set-aside 50%, is proving the way