Page 18 - Tropical Peat Swamp Forests of Sarawak FA
P. 18
the permanent forest estates or production recorded in diferent wavelengths, permitting
forests and has been subjected to logging over the state of forest resources to be tracked with-
the years. This has resulted in a landscape of out administrative restrictions. High resolution
varying degrees of canopy cover. About 60% of images allow fairly accurate estimates of canopy
Sarawak’s peat swamp forest lies within the Per- cover, but it is not possible to identify tree spe-
manent Forest Estate (PFE). The PFE comprises cies from satellite images. Information on stand
forest reserves, protected forests, and commu- structure and species composition can only
nal forest reserves which are managed for the ascertained through ground truthing.
purpose of sustainable timber production. Two
peat swamp forest areas, Loagan Bunut (10,736
ha) and Maludam National Park (43,147 ha)
have been gazetted as Totally Protected Areas.
Recently Ulu Sebuyau has also been gazetted as
a national park with an area of over 18.200 ha.
In order to assess status, potential develop-
ments and possible management interventions,
an adequate monitoring system is necessary.
The current system consists of a network of per-
manent sample plots, and is focused on growth
and yield of valuable timber species.
“The operational availability
of various resolutions of
satellite imagery has opened
up new possibilities for
investigating and monitoring
forest resources.”
However, present peat swamp forest values
include biodiversity conservation, rehabilitation
of degraded forest, and carbon storage. There-
fore, adjustments to the monitoring system are
advised, including monitoring all tree species in
all size classes, the monitoring of standing and
fallen dead wood, and the monitoring of envi-
ronmental factors such as hydrology and peat
depth. Monitoring on the ground must be com-
bined with monitoring using satellite images.
The operational availability of various resolu-
tions of satellite imagery has openedup new
possibilities for investigating and monitoring Forest vegetation
forest resources. In contrast with traditional along the Maludam
methods, the use of satellite imagery facilitates river in Maludam
studies covering vast expanses of land. Imagery National Park,
for the same area can be acquired regularly and Sarawak.
18 18 19 19
forests and has been subjected to logging over the state of forest resources to be tracked with-
the years. This has resulted in a landscape of out administrative restrictions. High resolution
varying degrees of canopy cover. About 60% of images allow fairly accurate estimates of canopy
Sarawak’s peat swamp forest lies within the Per- cover, but it is not possible to identify tree spe-
manent Forest Estate (PFE). The PFE comprises cies from satellite images. Information on stand
forest reserves, protected forests, and commu- structure and species composition can only
nal forest reserves which are managed for the ascertained through ground truthing.
purpose of sustainable timber production. Two
peat swamp forest areas, Loagan Bunut (10,736
ha) and Maludam National Park (43,147 ha)
have been gazetted as Totally Protected Areas.
Recently Ulu Sebuyau has also been gazetted as
a national park with an area of over 18.200 ha.
In order to assess status, potential develop-
ments and possible management interventions,
an adequate monitoring system is necessary.
The current system consists of a network of per-
manent sample plots, and is focused on growth
and yield of valuable timber species.
“The operational availability
of various resolutions of
satellite imagery has opened
up new possibilities for
investigating and monitoring
forest resources.”
However, present peat swamp forest values
include biodiversity conservation, rehabilitation
of degraded forest, and carbon storage. There-
fore, adjustments to the monitoring system are
advised, including monitoring all tree species in
all size classes, the monitoring of standing and
fallen dead wood, and the monitoring of envi-
ronmental factors such as hydrology and peat
depth. Monitoring on the ground must be com-
bined with monitoring using satellite images.
The operational availability of various resolu-
tions of satellite imagery has openedup new
possibilities for investigating and monitoring Forest vegetation
forest resources. In contrast with traditional along the Maludam
methods, the use of satellite imagery facilitates river in Maludam
studies covering vast expanses of land. Imagery National Park,
for the same area can be acquired regularly and Sarawak.
18 18 19 19
