Peatland Management Based on Hydrological Characteristics at Peatland Rangsang Island, Kepulauan Meranti Regency

Abstract

Rangsang Island is one of the three main islands in the Kepulauan Meranti district which is dominated by peatlands. Rangsang Island, which faces the Straits of Malacca in the east, is under massive pressure in the utilization of its land. In the management of peatlands, the hydrological aspect plays an important role, in accordance with the characteristics of peatlands where the land is saturated with water, either periodically or permanently. This study aims to determine the hydrological characteristics of peatlands in an effort to sustainably manage peatlands in the Rangsang Island area. The method used is spatial analysis, hydrological analysis of peatlands. The data used consists of land unit maps, soil maps, rainfall for the period 1998-2019, ground water level (GWL) period August 2019-August 2021 population data. The results of this study indicate that fluctuations of GWL during dry season were 42 – 45 cm relatively safe; and GWL control in peatland management is very important in dealing sustainability of peat land especially during dry season. Cultivation of plants that are adaptive to the peat ecosystem such as liberica coffee supports an efforts to sustain the peatland area.