Short Communication: Sustainability of ecological dimension in peatland management in The Giam Siak Kecil Bukit Batu Landscape, Riau, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Zulkarnaini, Sujianto, Wawan. 2022. Short Communication: Sustainability of ecological dimension in peatland management in The Giam Siak Kecil Bukit Batu Landscape, Riau, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 1822-1827. The Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu (GSKBB) in Riau Province, Indonesia, is assigned as a biosphere reserve due to its importance in terms of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services provision, particularly due to the existence of large tracts of peat swamp forest. However, GSKBB landscape is threatened by various anthropogenic activities of using peatland resources because such activities are often carried out in an exploitative and destructive manner. This study aims to analyze the sustainability of the ecological dimension in peatland management in the GSKBB landscape. Methodologically, the design of this research used a mixed approach by combining quantitative and qualitative methods to determine the sustainability of peatland management. Primary data was collected through field observations and in-depth interviews with key informants from the GSKBB Biosphere Reserve management board, local government, private companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other local stakeholders. Computer programming RAPPEAT was used to analyze the sustainability index. The results of sustainability analysis of the ecological dimension of peatland management in the GSKBB landscape obtained a sustainability index of 46.5% or classified as less sustainable (<50). This value suggests that the condition of the peatland ecosystem is under pressure viewed from the ecological aspect. This is reinforced by the results of field observations which showed that the peatland ecosystem is experiencing damage and quality degradation such as land degradation, illegal logging, and land conversion. Leverage analysis obtained two attributes that are sensitive to the sustainability index of ecological dimension, namely land use (RMS = 3.84) and land conversion (RMS = 3.11). These two attributes indicate that the condition of the peatland ecosystem is strongly influenced by plantation activities in the area.

Peatland Management Policy: How to Build a Good Public-Private Partnership?

“…57 of 2016 as a policy and earlier peatland rules continue to be a topic of discussion for different parties. The primary point of emphasis is that the current policies are primarily sector-specific, limiting their applicability to specific line ministries (Zulkarnaini et al, 2022). Sectoral rules only control fields by sector, which binds the sub-sectors within it.…”

Institutional Synergy in Sustainable Peatland Management

“…Taking into account the situation and changes in agricultural development and the challenges that exist, it is very necessary to prepare an effective development communication strategy in supporting development. Farmer institutions are formed basically have several roles, interorganizational tasks to mediate between the community and the state, (b) resource tasks include the mobilization of local resources (labor, capital, materials, information) and their management in achieving community goals, (c) service tasks may include service requests that describe development goals or coordination of local community requests, and (d) extraorganizational tasks require local requests to the bureaucracy or outside community organizations against interference by outside agents (Zulkarnaini et. al, 2022).…”

Effect of peat water levels on greenhouse gas production in different cropping land use

“…Over the past three decades, peatlands have been actively utilized for agricultural activities, including cultivating food crops, horticultural crops, and estate plants. The rapid conversion of peatland forests to alternative land uses, particularly for agriculture, diminishes peat stability and accelerates peat degradation (Wigena et al, 2015;Surahman et al, 2018;Zulkarnaini et al, 2022). With a coverage of 3% of the earth's surface area (4 000 000 km 2 ), peatlands store an estimated 550 Gt C (Beaulne et al, 2021).…”