Agroforestry for restoration of degraded peatlands

Abstract

The area of degreded peatlands in Indonesia is estimated at 4.4 million ha. Currently, the degraded peatland often a source of environmental problems, including sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and land fires. Restoration of degraded peatlands is intended to restore the value, function and benefits of the peat ecosystem, including efforts to prevent land damage, provide protection, and restore the ecosystem. One of the efforts to restore degraded peatlands is through revegetation. Agroforestry is a cropping pattern that uses a combination of tree crops with seasonal crops, and/or with livestock/fisheries activities. Agroforestry systems can be applied to degraded peatlands in production forest areas and other use areas. The advantages of agroforestry systems include; optimization of land, diversification of crops, reduce the risk of failure, can also prevent land preparation (for seasonal crops) with the burn system, and increase carbon stock. The success of an agroforestry system is very dependent on tree management which can reduce adverse effects and maximize the beneficial effects physically, economically, socially and environmentally. The selection of tree and agricultural plant types is important in order to restore degraded peatlands. The jelutung + pineapple agroforestry system provides physical, economic, social and environmental benefits. Jelutung + corn + horticultural crops are able to provide significant benefits. Agroforestry systems can be implemented to mitigate carbon emissions in degraded peatlands.