Key points to consider in establishing a conservation network are as follows:
1. Investigate flora, fauna, rare ecosystems, soils, presence and depth of peat, and
identify peat domes as a source of water storage. If endangered species are
identified, conserve them as priority core zones.
2. Careful land use planning to achieve harmony between tree production and
ecosystem conservation. Ensure that habitats for rare plants and animals are not
isolated.
3. Preserve biodiversity by the concept of the conservation network. Special attention should be paid to the establishment of the green corridors. Their width and
location should be determined after careful consideration of the ecology of the
species to be conserved. The green corridors should not be cut off in the middle,
especially by human activities, and the corridors should always be available to
form a mesh network.
4. Determination of the area that will serve as a source of water storage and
determination of protection measures. If the water in the reservoir is drained
away due to development, the peat ecosystems that are supposed to be preserved
will be destroyed, and habitats for rare plants and animals will be lost because in
many cases, the area of the water reservoir coincides with the habitat of the rare
plants and animals.
5. Collaborate with neighboring private sectors, local communities, and governments to ensure connectivity of the forested area and high conservation value
areas to ensure biodiversity conservation and protection.
The above is not necessarily an endorsement of new peatland development, and
the authors believe that conservation is the first priority for undeveloped lands.
However, in reality, many areas have been wrongly developed so far, and the
concept of a conservation network is proposed to improve their management practices. This concept can also be applied beyond peatlands.
4.4 Coexistence with Local Communities
Sometimes commercial plantation and the local community are thought to be
conflicting parties because of their land use. At the same time, there is some local
community activity that threatens sustainable peatland management, such as newly
opening peatland, too intensive slash-and-burn agriculture, and unmanaged drain in
the peatland. These activities often occur as a method for the local community to
obtain cash earnings, as well as daily foods. When commercial plantations involve
the local community in optimizing peatland management, conflicts and threats for
peatlands may be decreased by ensuring a cash income for members of the local
community.
Kalimantan was covered by dense tropical forests for a long time, and it has not
been possible to develop sustainable agriculture adapted to its environment, including the soil. A little more than half a century ago, commercial harvesting of tropical
146
T. Kato et al.
1. Investigate flora, fauna, rare ecosystems, soils, presence and depth of peat, and
identify peat domes as a source of water storage. If endangered species are
identified, conserve them as priority core zones.
2. Careful land use planning to achieve harmony between tree production and
ecosystem conservation. Ensure that habitats for rare plants and animals are not
isolated.
3. Preserve biodiversity by the concept of the conservation network. Special attention should be paid to the establishment of the green corridors. Their width and
location should be determined after careful consideration of the ecology of the
species to be conserved. The green corridors should not be cut off in the middle,
especially by human activities, and the corridors should always be available to
form a mesh network.
4. Determination of the area that will serve as a source of water storage and
determination of protection measures. If the water in the reservoir is drained
away due to development, the peat ecosystems that are supposed to be preserved
will be destroyed, and habitats for rare plants and animals will be lost because in
many cases, the area of the water reservoir coincides with the habitat of the rare
plants and animals.
5. Collaborate with neighboring private sectors, local communities, and governments to ensure connectivity of the forested area and high conservation value
areas to ensure biodiversity conservation and protection.
The above is not necessarily an endorsement of new peatland development, and
the authors believe that conservation is the first priority for undeveloped lands.
However, in reality, many areas have been wrongly developed so far, and the
concept of a conservation network is proposed to improve their management practices. This concept can also be applied beyond peatlands.
4.4 Coexistence with Local Communities
Sometimes commercial plantation and the local community are thought to be
conflicting parties because of their land use. At the same time, there is some local
community activity that threatens sustainable peatland management, such as newly
opening peatland, too intensive slash-and-burn agriculture, and unmanaged drain in
the peatland. These activities often occur as a method for the local community to
obtain cash earnings, as well as daily foods. When commercial plantations involve
the local community in optimizing peatland management, conflicts and threats for
peatlands may be decreased by ensuring a cash income for members of the local
community.
Kalimantan was covered by dense tropical forests for a long time, and it has not
been possible to develop sustainable agriculture adapted to its environment, including the soil. A little more than half a century ago, commercial harvesting of tropical
146
T. Kato et al.