Please --- I am looking for examples where the restoration of tropical peat swamp forests has worked (ideally in SE Asia). I can find plenty of guidelines and commentaries, but I do not find examples where people show that it actually works (even over a short time frame). Any suggestions are welcome. Many thanks
Very good question. I don't know about restoration in tropical swamps particularly in Ecuador where I focus my work.
I do not know if it is exactly the same, but in Costa Rica was worked the restoration of the Palo Verde wetland, which is a ramsar site
You can contact Michael Bland McCoy Colton in researchgate
There should be some data coming out of the APP concessions in Sumatra where Deltares has worked with them on closing canals to at least restore hydrological functions and reduce or stop subsidence. I don't think they have moved towards reforestation though because they are phasing out existing stands of acacia first.
See this link: https://news.mongabay.com/2015/08/app-to-clear-plantations-to-restore-peatlands/
https://www.deltares.nl/en/projects/lidar-data-large-scale-peatland-management-flood-risk-assessment/
Once protected, peat accumulation rates are about 1 mm/y so it will take a while before lost peat has been restored to its original thickness (ca. 2000 years I guess): https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Susan_Page/publication/253047911_PEATLAND_EVOLUTION_IN_SOUTHEAST_ASIA_DURING_THE_LAST_35000_CAL_YEARS_IMPLICATIONS_FOR_EVALUATING_THEIR_CARBON_STORAGE_POTENTIAL/links/0046352976c999f3c0000000.pdf
Article Peatland evolution in Southeast Asia during the last 35,000c...
We arrange restoration in some area in Malaysia and Indonesia.
http://pmhaze.org/2017/06/peep-2017-at-sungai-tohor/
This is another report about restoration program in Indonesia. We make landscape approach between various stakeholder.
http://www.siiaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/SIIA-Special-Report-Peatland-23062017.pdf
Many thanks everyone ... still keen for more examples if there are any.
Given the scale of the areas requiring rehabilitation we need to see what is required for making it work in different settings. It'd be great to find examples in areas that have not been impacted by drainage (presumably easier to restore) as well as those that have.
Maybe Danau Sentarum (West Kal) has such areas. The area has long been used by people and fire impacts peat swamps, but drainage only in certain parts. There are probably patches in various stages of rehabilitation (but not active restoration).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ-j1VmqKgk
Non oil palm community is key factor for restoration. Sago community in Sungai Tohor is our success story.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/conl.12256/epdf
Land tenure is the fundamental factor for restoration, you can read the condition in Riau Province
There are several Restoration Ecosystem projects in Indonesia and some of their work is in the peat swamp area. You can check this list: http://www.mongabay.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Ijin-IUPHHK-RE.jpg
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