The peat swamp forests of the Indo-Malayan region are generally recent formations (<5000 years old) over oceanic muds and sands in coastal lowlands. These are unusual ecosystems. Despite extreme conditions (pH of 2.9 to 4; nutirent-poor; anaerobic; unstable peat substrate 20 m deep or more; forest floor flooded during wet season, and waterlogged during dry season), trees in these swamps can grow over 70 m tall. Rainfall and oceanic aerosols are the sole water inputs; there are no river inflows to make these ecosystems nutrient-rich.
927 species of flowering plants and ferns were recorded in the peat swamps of Borneo. In peninsular Malaysia, 260 species of plants were recorded. Bladderworts (Utricularia spp) are observed ingesting very small animals and protozoans, mostly for obtaining nitrogen and phosphorus in these nutrient-poor environments. Other plant adaptations in these forests include buttress roots and stilt roots which provide stability in the peat, and respiratory roots which grow from the stem or up from burried waterlogged roots.
Malaysian peat swamps have a rich biodiversity of aquatic invertebrates, though lacking molluscs, leeches, and organisms that require rocky substrates and flowing waters. There are many undescribed aquatic invertebrate species. Vertebrates are generally more well known in these ecosystems. Over 200 species of fish have been recorded in the peat swamps of peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra, including the world's smallest known fish (Paedocypris progenetica) (7.9 to 10.3 mm long at maturity) which was recently discovered in the peat swamp forests of Sumatra.
Elephants, tapirs, leopards, tigers, rhinoceros, orangutans, and proboscis monkeys all live in peat swamp forests. 57 mammal species (excluding rodents and bats) and 237 bird species have been identified in Malaysian peat swamp forests. Of these species, 51% of the mammals and 27% of the birds are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. As with the aquatic invertebrate communities, the amphibian and reptile communities of peat swamp forests are not well known. The most threatened organisms in these ecosystems are those that are specialized in inhabiting peat swamp forest, as generalist species are surviving in areas that are being degraded. The loss of habitat specialists is likely to have severe negative impacts on ecosystem function.
With the present push from Europe for palm oil production, the conversion of peat swamp forests to oil palm plantations is increasing. Additionally, the water from peat swamps is used to irrigate oil palm- and rice plantations. It is important to note that the conversion of these peatlands to oil palm plantations has no merit, as the destruction of peat swamp forest results in carbon dioxide emissions that are up to 36 times greater than the amount saved by the European countries' switch to using palm oil biodiesel.
There are efforts to restore degraded peat swamp forests in Central Kalimantan. The target is to restore and conserve 80% of the former Mega Rice Project area. This effort involves restoring swamp hydrology through dam construction and blocking canals that were built to drain peatlands. Indigenous inhabitants have constructed a variety of dams, and canals are becoming filled in naturally by leaf litter and other plant debris. These dams are constructed of timber (sometimes with added sandbags for support) and become increasingly permanent as they trap plant debris and become vegetated. Additionally, restoration measures include replanting indigenous plant species that will help rebuild the peat layers, and various mounting systems are being used to keep seedlings from being submerged. Currently it appears that rehabilitation will be successful in mildly degraded areas.
LINK to Catherine Yule's 2010 article in Biodiversity and Conservation.
LINK to the Katingan Project's website.
