Tropical
peatlands are found in Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, South
America and Central Africa. The most recent estimated tropical peatlands area
by Page et al. (2011) is 44.1
million hectares equivalent to 11% of the global peatland area.
56%
of these peatlands are found in Southeast Asia.
 |
| Distribution of lowland peatlands in Southeast Asia (Data modified from Page et al., 2011). |
In
Southeast Asia, peatlands occupy mostly low altitude coastal and sub-coastal
environments and are usually located at altitudes from sea level to 50m above sea
level (Rieley et al., 2008). The total peatland area in Southeast Asia is approximately
24.7 million hectares in which 20.7 million hectares are in Indonesia (Page et
al., 2011).
Peat
is defined as a soil type containing at least 65% organic matter. It
is comprised of partially decayed organic matter such as stems
and
roots. The decomposition of organic matter
slows down in the presence of water and absence
of oxygen, and peat is formed when the
rate of accumulation exceeds the rate of decomposition.
Over thousands of years, this layer of peat can reach a
depth of 20m.
 |
Area
of peatlands in Southeast Asia by country (Modified from Joosten, 2009;
National Environmental Agency Singapore, 2011; Page et al., 2011; Quoi, 2012).
|
Peat
Swamp Forest (PSF) is a natural vegetation in lowland tropical peatlands in
Southeast Asia. Most of the fauna and flora
found in peat swamp forests are unique and
highly adapted to the environment (i.e. acidic
water and waterlogged condition).
Peat
swamp forests have many ecological functions such as:
1.
A source of freshwater supply.
2.
Flood mitigation.
3.
Carbon sink and store.
4.
Safeguarding biodiversity.
