PROFILING peat thickness and water levels in Brunei’s peat swamp forests will allow conservationists to understand the regeneration potential of degraded peatland, said a visiting expert.

Dr Hans Joosten, secretary-general of the International Mire Conservation Group, who visited Brunei recently with a group of accompanying peatland experts, said the sultanate’s peat swamp forests were “more than likely the best kept” in Borneo.

Still, these peat swamp forests, which cover about 100,000 hectares or 17 per cent of total land, haven’t escaped damage throughout the years primarily by draining and recurring forest fires.

The Heart of Borneo (HOB) Centre in Brunei previously reported that about 30 per cent of peat swamp forests have sustained some form of damage, with their restoration and protection being made a priority.

“Developing a system of measurement for key peat swamp forest areas which can be profiled regularly for peat thickness and their water levels will give a good base to plan restoration efforts off,” said Dr Hans.

“If the degradation is severe enough, like in the case of forest fires, it’s immediately visual.

“But to learn specifically how it and the surrounding area is affected, keeping a profile is necessary.”

He said peat swamp forests in the region are unique amongst the different types of peatlands seen across the world, bearing uncommonly dense vegetation that grows above water-logged soil.

“Peat swamp forests form when frequent flooding prevents organic matter from decomposing fully,” said Dr Hans.

“Then as it (peat) accumulates, the water it can hold is more than 10 times its weight.”

By holding in moisture, the peat swamps gradually form a dome of wet, organic material, but the process naturally takes thousands of years.

Typically, peat layers can range from a few up to 20 metres, he added, indirectly making peat swamp forests one of the world’s most efficient carbon sinks.

“The rate of peat formation or regeneration depends on a host of factors.

“But generally, it’s between a half millimetre to two millimetres a year,” he said.

“To guarantee that the regeneration takes place, the original water level of the swamp has to be restored.”

To restore water levels, blocking off road canals and other canals is the most accepted method.

But how quick the area revegetates itself without direct interference depends on the severity of the damage.

Dr Hans also warned of the long-term effects of degradation and draining peat swamp forests which could destabilise water levels in the surrounding area.

The Brunei Times