Assessment of Suitability of Tree Species for Bioenergy Production on Burned and Degraded Peatlands in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Large areas of deforested and degraded land, particularly degraded peatlands, need a viable long-term solution for restoration, ideally one that ensures energy security without compromising food security or biodiversity conversation. To address a knowledge gap on the most adaptive bioenergy crop(s) for degraded lands, this research project assessed the survival and growth performance of potential bioenergy crops to restore burned and degraded peatlands. Our methodology compared the bioenergy species with the potential to survive in extreme environments, i.e., gamal [Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp.], kaliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus Meissner), kemiri sunan [Reutealis trisperma (Blanco) Airy Shaw], and nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum L.). Observed parameters are plant survival rates, tree height, and circular stem growth. The experiment was conducted between March 2016 to February 2017 in a two-hectare demonstration plot on burned and degraded peatland in Buntoi village, Pulang Pisau, Central Kalimantan province. Using a split plot design, two treatments were given to each species, i.e., monoculture plantation and agroforestry (intercropped with Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.); with each treatment, the species were replicated on two separate plots. Results indicate that nyamplung is the most adoptable species followed by kemiri sunan, however both species performed very well under agroforestry treatment when compared with monoculture. Further study is needed to assess the productivity and associate biofuel yield.

Bioenergy Production on Degraded Land: Landowner Perceptions in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

“…Since this species was new to the village, the testing of landowners' preferences for this potential bioenergy species was considered appropriate. Nyamplung is known to produce biodiesel that is the most similar to diesel oil and has the potential to replace diesel fuel without any engine modifications [36] and adapt to degraded land including peatland [37]. Moreover, it meets the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) for fuel [14,15].…”

Towards better use of Indonesian peatlands with paludiculture and low-drainage food crops

“…philippine-tung/kemiri sunan (Reutealis trisperma), tamanu/nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum) plantations in Palangka Raya, Pulang Pisau regency and Katingan regency) (CIFOR 2016). These trials showed that these crops could grow well in degraded and burned peatlands, including in agroforestry systems as well (Maimunah et al 2018).…”

Integrating bioenergy and food production on degraded landscapes in Indonesia for improved socioeconomic and environmental outcomes

“…At the same time, it is important to recognize that each landscape is unique, and restoration efforts should consider the underlying cause of degradation, as well as the socioeconomic and ecological demands on the landscape (Rahman, Sunderland, et al., ). Successful land restoration depends not only on the rehabilitation of biodiversity and the ecosystem, but also on the choice of appropriate species, and their suitability in the landscape, so that local people's needs can also be fulfilled (Borchard et al., ; Lamb, Erskine, & Parrotta, ; Maimunah et al., ; Paudyal et al., ). Equally, for a landscape to be sustainable, production of food and energy must coexist alongside biodiversity (Tilman et al., ).…”

“…Being able to meet the high costs involved in land restoration (approximately from US$260 to US$2,880 per hectare, depending on the condition of land and costs related to restoration methods) affects whether people managing agricultural and forest landscapes embrace such restoration efforts (Brown, ; Strassburg & Latawiec, ). With this in mind, bioenergy species, for example, nyamplung, has potential to be used as a restoration crop in agroforestry systems, offering a climate‐smart farming approach by producing bioenergy as well as the function for soil and biodiversity conservation (Baral & Lee, ; Borchard et al., ; Jaung et al., ; Maimunah et al., ; Prabakaran & Britto, ; Schweier et al., ). As such farming can bring environmental and socioeconomic benefits without sacrificing agricultural production, it proves a viable way to shift toward sustainable production and scale back unsustainable agricultural practices that may lead to further degradation and deforestation (Boucher et al., ; Brown, Robinson, French, & Reed, ; Rahman, Sunderland, et al., ; Rahman, Jacobsen, et al., ).…”