Tropical Peat Swamp Management Options: A Case Study Using System Dynamic in Southern Aceh
Abstract: Tropical peat forest
ecosystems have multiple benefits as regulating hydrological system, carbon
storage, timber and non-timber products, and protecting the biodiversity. Lack
of understanding of these functions, short-term economic benefits is more
preferable despite reducing its ecological benefits. This study proposed a system
dynamics model of tropical peat forest ecosystem in determining its optimum
management for extractive utilizations (timber and non-timber forest products),
environmental services, and biodiversity. A dynamics model was used to describe
changes in peatland and forest cover, biomass accumulation and carbon storage,
and total economic value of tropical peat forest ecosystem in Trumon and
Singkil, Southern Aceh. The projection showed that peat forest ecosystem
benefits would decline in the long term if degradations continue at the same
rate over last decade. Efforts to change the primary peat forest to plantation
would reduce the total economic value of ecosystem and biodiversity values at
level -19.63% and -26.28% from current conditions. Carbon emissions were
increased at 117.32 tons CO2 eq ha-1 year-1, higher than average of carbon
losses from peatland oxidation. Preserving 50% of forest vegetation on moderate
depth and protection very deep peatlands would reduce emission -6.96% to
-35.06% and increase forest carbon
storage at significant rate +15.06% to +63.32%, respectively. These mitigation
schemes would improve the biodiversity and hydrological function. Forest
rehabilitation with agroforestry practices will enhance carbon uptake,
especially on degraded lands.
Keywords: system dynamics,
tropical peat forest, carbon storage, environmental services, total economic
value
Author: Aswandi, Ronggo
Sadono, Haryono Supriyo, Hartono
Journal Code: jpkehutanangg150023