conditions. Moreover, the system introduced in this chapter makes it possible to
obtain data spatially, which was previously only collected at a point. Precipitation
patterns were observed to change from several kilometers away, even in the same
concession. A detailed analysis will be necessary to study the water cycle in tropical
peatlands in the future. The new technology will be useful in preventing forest and
peat fires, but the information gained will also be of considerable use in improving
the productivity of cultivated plants.
The most difficult part of the WSL-MTI project has been the creation of detailed
topographic maps using manual methods, but the widespread use of UAVs/drones
has made it possible to create detailed maps. As a result, although LiDAR is still
expensive, UAVs/drones are now relatively cheap and easy to use, and by using
them, planning for the Eco-management of tropical peatland has become less
difficult.
3.12.4 Conversion from the Conventional “Drainage-Based
WM” to the Innovative “Stock-Based WM”
in Large-Scale Eco-Management of Topical Peatland
Considering the forest and peat fires that have occurred, the negative effects on
global climate change, and the health hazards caused by haze pollution, no one
would think that peatland management should be business as usual. As new peatland
development is already prohibited in Indonesia (P.71/2014; P.57/2016), the most
important issue is that most peatlands have already been developed using a conventional management system (drainage-based) (Indonesian Government Regulation
2016). The first and foremost thing to consider is to switch from a Drainage-based
water management system to a Stock-based water management system. In that case,
the already existing canal network must be reconsidered on the basis of the topographic maps obtained with the latest technology. In addition to detailed topographic
maps, information on GWLs is also essential. Areas with significantly low GWLs
require immediate technical improvements. Additionally, active and continuous
monitoring of GWLs after improvements is also essential. It should be noted that
the government has established regulations for monitoring GWLs to prevent forest
and peat fires (P.15/2017) (Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry
of Indonesia 2017). Simultaneously, monitoring of GWLs is essential to evaluate
whether the management system is being properly implemented. It not only prevents
fires in the entire peat ecosystem but also provides an indicator for the proper growth
of cultivated plants.
In conclusion, in WSL-MTI, the advantage of Eco-management is evidenced by
one thing: WSL-MTI was fortunate not to have caused any fires in the plantations
during the massive occurrence of fires in many places during El Niño of 2015.
Additionally, no new peat dams were constructed at that time, and an innovative
water management system (Stock-based water management) has been maintained.
3 Large-Scale Practice on Tropical Peatland Eco-Management
131
obtain data spatially, which was previously only collected at a point. Precipitation
patterns were observed to change from several kilometers away, even in the same
concession. A detailed analysis will be necessary to study the water cycle in tropical
peatlands in the future. The new technology will be useful in preventing forest and
peat fires, but the information gained will also be of considerable use in improving
the productivity of cultivated plants.
The most difficult part of the WSL-MTI project has been the creation of detailed
topographic maps using manual methods, but the widespread use of UAVs/drones
has made it possible to create detailed maps. As a result, although LiDAR is still
expensive, UAVs/drones are now relatively cheap and easy to use, and by using
them, planning for the Eco-management of tropical peatland has become less
difficult.
3.12.4 Conversion from the Conventional “Drainage-Based
WM” to the Innovative “Stock-Based WM”
in Large-Scale Eco-Management of Topical Peatland
Considering the forest and peat fires that have occurred, the negative effects on
global climate change, and the health hazards caused by haze pollution, no one
would think that peatland management should be business as usual. As new peatland
development is already prohibited in Indonesia (P.71/2014; P.57/2016), the most
important issue is that most peatlands have already been developed using a conventional management system (drainage-based) (Indonesian Government Regulation
2016). The first and foremost thing to consider is to switch from a Drainage-based
water management system to a Stock-based water management system. In that case,
the already existing canal network must be reconsidered on the basis of the topographic maps obtained with the latest technology. In addition to detailed topographic
maps, information on GWLs is also essential. Areas with significantly low GWLs
require immediate technical improvements. Additionally, active and continuous
monitoring of GWLs after improvements is also essential. It should be noted that
the government has established regulations for monitoring GWLs to prevent forest
and peat fires (P.15/2017) (Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry
of Indonesia 2017). Simultaneously, monitoring of GWLs is essential to evaluate
whether the management system is being properly implemented. It not only prevents
fires in the entire peat ecosystem but also provides an indicator for the proper growth
of cultivated plants.
In conclusion, in WSL-MTI, the advantage of Eco-management is evidenced by
one thing: WSL-MTI was fortunate not to have caused any fires in the plantations
during the massive occurrence of fires in many places during El Niño of 2015.
Additionally, no new peat dams were constructed at that time, and an innovative
water management system (Stock-based water management) has been maintained.
3 Large-Scale Practice on Tropical Peatland Eco-Management
131