PEAT swamp is important, not just as a carbon sink that helps regulate climate change but it also provides a unique ecosystem for wildlife, especially fish, amphibians and mammals.
Unfortunately, because of the clearing of peat swamp forests, their very existence is being threatened.
Agriculture seems to be the culprit that is destroying the ecosystem. Oil palm and aquaculture, though their economic importance is undeniable, have destroyed large tracts of peat swamp forest all over the country, thus grossly undermining the effectiveness of peat swamp to suck up the greenhouse gas.
From adventures in peat swamp forests, it was discovered that the small pools and black water streams that runs through it is a biosphere that house unique tree species that cannot be found outside the peat swamp.
Fish species, such as the chaca bankanensis, channa bankanensis, channa bankanenssis, channa melosoma, channa lucius’ and a variety of chiclids, Rasboras and Betta species, can only be found in peat swamp forests. It is also a breeding ground for ornamental shrimps.
Even the world’s smallest fish, paedocypris progenetica, the rare chocolate gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides) and the rare and highly-prized licorice gourami (Parosphromenus species) live in peat swamps. These are some of the more magnificent endemic fish species but they are faced with extinction following the decimation of peat swamps.
Some of the rarest water plants species, such as cryptocorynes, will perish when peat swamp forest streams are drained and dried out for oil palm plantations or other forms of human encroachment.
As a gene bank, peat swamp forests hold a treasure chest of undiscovered resources of medicinal plants that could cure chronic illnesses. Its diversity is priceless and the peat swamp forest still harbours a lot of surprises.
The size of the peat swamp forest in Terengganu is just about 13,000 hectares, half the size of the Setiu Wetlands. But the pockets of peat swamp forest in Marang, Dungun and Kemaman are fast losing a battle against progress in agriculture.
As such, the specialised flora and fauna in a peat swamp forest need to be protected and much research needs to be done. Field trips by university students as well as secondary school students need to be promoted to raise the awareness on the fragility of our peat swamp forests.
Protecting these forests also needs political will. The government should establish buffer zones to prevent any form of development in areas fringing such forests because it plays an important part in stabilising the ecosystem.
One important function of peat swamp is that it acts as a sponge to absorb and store excess rainwater and minimises the effect of floods in low-lying areas as well as blocks excess water from entering directly into rivers.
In states, such as Terengganu, where floods pose a problem during the monsoon season, a healthy peat swamp forest can help absorb excess rain and prevent serious flooding in low-lying areas.
Deforestation of peat swamp forests exposes the environment and the heat and dryness can trigger fires that will be difficult to extinguish. It happened in the peat forest in Mercang some years ago and it proved to be a challenge for firefighters to douse the simmering underground fires.
With the haze becoming a major problem during the dry period, it is important to protect peat swamp forests from human encroachment so that the biology of the area is kept moist to prevent underground fires.
All things considered, the government should give serious thought about protecting our peat swamp forests. Although the size of peat swamp forests is not big, its role in regulating the climate and protecting the environment is undeniable.
In addition, the rich biodiversity of peat swamp forests needs to be researched. Discoveries of rare and new flora and fauna need to be documented for the next generation.
While it is still there, the scope of research should be more comprehensive and should cover every aspect of the subject. Awareness programmes should also be intensified. The younger generation will ultimately inherit this unique ecosystem.
The writer is Terengganu bureau
specialist writer