within the WSL concessions, where there are many small rivers, in addition to
Pandanus helicops, Lilium sp., and Crinum asiaticum grow along rivers, sometimes
blocking rivers and flooding the surrounding areas. It appears to be a phenomenon of
peatlands trying to maintain their own high-water table. Peatlands are said to
resemble a living organism, growing, maturing, and even dying, the latter often at
the hands of humans. This may be one of those phenomena (Page and Baird 2016).
For peat swamp forests, especially in the mixed peat swamp forest, interesting
and unique characteristics have been observed in the dominant species. Shorea
albida is a dipterocarp tree species, primarily dominating the peat swamp forests
of Sarawak and Brunei, whereas in southern Borneo, i.e., South Kalimantan, Shorea
balangeran is a dominant species and occasionally forms a pure forest (Posa et al.
2011; Corlett 2019). However, neither species are observed within the WSL-MTI
concessions and Mendawak protection forest at all. Instead, Shorea pachyphylla, a
species of the dipterocarp family, is dominant, but it does not form pure stands.
WSL-MTI collected seeds of S. pachyphylla in 2017 and produced thousands of
seedlings for planting at hydrobuffer zone (see Chap. 3). The species can grow from
shallow to deep peat and survive at high groundwater level (GWL), even though
zero meter.
The goal of this research is to provide complete data and specimens of the flora of
coastal peatland in West Kalimantan for the future.
4.2.1.2 Fauna
Recent research has focused on the ecosystem’s significance as a global carbon
store; however, its value for biodiversity remains poorly understood (Posa et al.
2011). WSL-MTI has conducted studies not only for terrestrial fauna but also for
aquatic fauna using direct and indirect observations and camera traps to identify
critical, threatened, or endemic species or to protect the viable population in/around
the concessions. WSL-MTI has enumerated 54 species of mammals (22 families),
138 species of birds (42 families), 11 species of amphibians (4 families), and
25 species of reptiles (13 families). Posa et al. (2011) reviewed the number of
species of peat swamp forests in Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia: mammals
123 species, birds 268 species, amphibians 27 species, and reptiles 75 species. The
number of species of WSL-MTI is relatively high compared to the estimated number
in Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. Although further studies are needed, 30–50% of
the number of species are seen only in WSL-MTI.
For the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), the IUCN Red List 2016
(Ancrenaz et al. 2016) indicated the WSL-MTI area as a habitat for this primate.
Therefore, WSL-MTI conducted a region-wide habitat survey with orangutan
experts because it is a rare species that represents the region and should be strictly
protected. Results revealed that the distribution of orangutans is limited to a region of
MTI. They were also not found in the Mendawak protection forest outside
WSL-MTI. This means that no evidence of habitat was found in the area between
the two large rivers, the Kapuas and Mendawak (Fig. 4.7). It seems more likely that
4 Coexistence of Humans and Nature in Tropical Peatlands
139
Pandanus helicops, Lilium sp., and Crinum asiaticum grow along rivers, sometimes
blocking rivers and flooding the surrounding areas. It appears to be a phenomenon of
peatlands trying to maintain their own high-water table. Peatlands are said to
resemble a living organism, growing, maturing, and even dying, the latter often at
the hands of humans. This may be one of those phenomena (Page and Baird 2016).
For peat swamp forests, especially in the mixed peat swamp forest, interesting
and unique characteristics have been observed in the dominant species. Shorea
albida is a dipterocarp tree species, primarily dominating the peat swamp forests
of Sarawak and Brunei, whereas in southern Borneo, i.e., South Kalimantan, Shorea
balangeran is a dominant species and occasionally forms a pure forest (Posa et al.
2011; Corlett 2019). However, neither species are observed within the WSL-MTI
concessions and Mendawak protection forest at all. Instead, Shorea pachyphylla, a
species of the dipterocarp family, is dominant, but it does not form pure stands.
WSL-MTI collected seeds of S. pachyphylla in 2017 and produced thousands of
seedlings for planting at hydrobuffer zone (see Chap. 3). The species can grow from
shallow to deep peat and survive at high groundwater level (GWL), even though
zero meter.
The goal of this research is to provide complete data and specimens of the flora of
coastal peatland in West Kalimantan for the future.
4.2.1.2 Fauna
Recent research has focused on the ecosystem’s significance as a global carbon
store; however, its value for biodiversity remains poorly understood (Posa et al.
2011). WSL-MTI has conducted studies not only for terrestrial fauna but also for
aquatic fauna using direct and indirect observations and camera traps to identify
critical, threatened, or endemic species or to protect the viable population in/around
the concessions. WSL-MTI has enumerated 54 species of mammals (22 families),
138 species of birds (42 families), 11 species of amphibians (4 families), and
25 species of reptiles (13 families). Posa et al. (2011) reviewed the number of
species of peat swamp forests in Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia: mammals
123 species, birds 268 species, amphibians 27 species, and reptiles 75 species. The
number of species of WSL-MTI is relatively high compared to the estimated number
in Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. Although further studies are needed, 30–50% of
the number of species are seen only in WSL-MTI.
For the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), the IUCN Red List 2016
(Ancrenaz et al. 2016) indicated the WSL-MTI area as a habitat for this primate.
Therefore, WSL-MTI conducted a region-wide habitat survey with orangutan
experts because it is a rare species that represents the region and should be strictly
protected. Results revealed that the distribution of orangutans is limited to a region of
MTI. They were also not found in the Mendawak protection forest outside
WSL-MTI. This means that no evidence of habitat was found in the area between
the two large rivers, the Kapuas and Mendawak (Fig. 4.7). It seems more likely that
4 Coexistence of Humans and Nature in Tropical Peatlands
139