Malaysia’s peat swamp forests host some of the world's
rarest and most unique biodiversity. They also play a critical
role in the global carbon cycle - greenhouse gas emissions
due to the loss of peat soils in Southeast Asia over the last
twenty years are thought to be equivalent to 70% of all fossil
fuel carbon dioxide emissions.
Over the last decades peat swamp forests have been
extensively drained, burned and cleared for agriculture, oil
palm plantations and other development projects. Conflicting
policies, distorted prices and markets and a generally poor
recognition of the economic value of this unique forest type
have all contributed to their deforestation.
We have been working with Wetlands International to
develop a project to address these threats, and to conserve
peat swamp forests in Ayer Hitam and South Selangor in
Malaysia. This has a particular focus on articulating and
demonstrating ecosystem values, piloting sustainable
financing mechanisms, and implementing innovative
management approaches which integrate biodiversity and
livelihood concerns with the development agenda.
rarest and most unique biodiversity. They also play a critical
role in the global carbon cycle - greenhouse gas emissions
due to the loss of peat soils in Southeast Asia over the last
twenty years are thought to be equivalent to 70% of all fossil
fuel carbon dioxide emissions.
Over the last decades peat swamp forests have been
extensively drained, burned and cleared for agriculture, oil
palm plantations and other development projects. Conflicting
policies, distorted prices and markets and a generally poor
recognition of the economic value of this unique forest type
have all contributed to their deforestation.
We have been working with Wetlands International to
develop a project to address these threats, and to conserve
peat swamp forests in Ayer Hitam and South Selangor in
Malaysia. This has a particular focus on articulating and
demonstrating ecosystem values, piloting sustainable
financing mechanisms, and implementing innovative
management approaches which integrate biodiversity and
livelihood concerns with the development agenda.
| economic tools for peat swamp forests in Malaysia |
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© Environment Management Group 2012
