The water table and water balance of disturbed North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest (NSPSF) were studied over a period of seven months. The water table showed a lowering trend during the onset of dry period from February to June. Lower water tables were observed near the canal, but increase gradually to the inner sites. The draw-down effect could go beyond 700 metre from the canal. On an average, the NSPSF contributes about 11% of the total water in the main irrigation canal. The larger source, 89% is diverted from the Bernam River. The forest yield less flow during dry days, accounted for only 8% of the total flow, compared to 17% during rainy days. Based on rather limited data for water balance analysis, the runoff amounted to 146 mm/yr or about 6% of the annual rainfall. The corresponding values for ground water recharge and evapotranspiration loss were 29% and 65% of the rainfall, respectively. It seems that the presence of extensive canal leads to rapid evacuation of excess water from the forest. This results in a faster rate of soil moisture depletion during dry period. Consequently, the soil is dryer and probably more prone to fire.

 Click HERE to download the document  (803.5 KB)