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Problem statement: Peat covers 1.6 million ha (13%) of the 12.4 million
ha land area of Sarawak and some of peat swamp forests have been logged. The
objective of this study was to assess the impact of logging operation on peat
swamp forest in this area.
Approach: The study used a remote sensing technique to assess vegetation
cover in a peat swamp forest areas in Sarawak as result of logging practice
and land clearing activities for oil palm plantation. Vegetation Index was used
to assess impact of timber harvesting system and land clearing activities on
remaining peat swamp forest in two sites which were logged previously and the
possible relationship of change in hydrology.
Results: The timber harvesting system was a combination of rail system for
log transportation and excavator crawler for log skidding. Drainage work was
probably carried out prior to logging activities which was followed up by land
preparation for the establishment of the oil palm plantations. There was a general
decrease in the level of greenness from 2002-2007. Between the two sites, the
level of greenness was relatively lower in the West Site. The high green level
of both sites was reduced remarkably in 2007 especially for the West Site and
this corresponded to increase in the percentage of medium green level. The changed
in the level of greenness in the remnant peat swamp forest could suggest that
soil and other conditions such as vegetation structure and floristic composition
are unfavorable for the expected rate of forest regeneration.
Conclusion: The remnant logged peat swamp forest of the area declined due
to a poor state of growth as shown by the dramatically decrease in the level
of greenness. The peat swamp forest types strongly related to the hydrological
conditions and the associated flow of nutrients and mineral elements. The surrounding
hydrology was presumed to have influence the physical and chemical characteristics
of the peat.
