Abstract
The current drainage-based peatland management systems in Indonesia result in high fire risks, soil subsidence and CO2 emissions. This study aims to assess different alternatives of peatland crops in order to help prevent further degradation of peatlands in Indonesia. We focus on tropical peatland crops that provide food and that are of particular interest to smallholders. We compare various peatland food crops that are commonly grown with no drainage (paludiculture) or drainage below 50 cm in our study area, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia in terms of sustainability, profitability, scalability of the market and acceptability to farmers. Our results show that sago (Metroxylon sagu), banana (Musa paradisiaca) and pineapple (Ananas comosus) followed by water spinach/kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica), kelakai/edible fern (Stenochlaena palustris), illipe nut/tengkawang (Shorea spp.), dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus), mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) and sweet melon/melon (Cucumis melo) are the best options based on the aggregated scores for these criteria (but precaution should be taken when planting crops that require low drainage). Sago palm and illipe nut have the highest scores for both sustainability and scalability of market, whereas banana, pineapple and sweet melon have the highest scores in term of the scalability of market and acceptability to farmers. We also address key opportunities and bottlenecks for the development of paludiculture food crops and present recommendations for the implementation of paludiculture in Indonesian peatlands.
Highlights
All peatlands in Indonesia were once forested, sequestering and storing atmospheric carbon for thousands of years (Warren et al 2017; Page et al 2011)
Our results show that sago (Metroxylon sagu), banana (Musa paradisiaca) and pineapple (Ananas comosus) followed by water spinach/kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica), kelakai/edible fern (Stenochlaena palustris), illipe nut/tengkawang (Shorea spp.), dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus), mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) and sweet melon/ melon (Cucumis melo) are the best options based on the aggregated scores for these criteria
The impact of the ridges on CO2 emissions as well as the effects of fertiliser use were not considered in our analysis and ranking should be considered as indicative given that there were differences in the degree to which ridges and furrows are used and fertilisers were applied between crops and between villages
Summary
All peatlands in Indonesia were once forested, sequestering and storing atmospheric carbon for thousands of years (Warren et al 2017; Page et al 2011). Between 2000 and 2014, palm oil production from peatlands alone has increased by almost threefold (Uda et al 2017). Despite their economic benefits (in particular production for agricultural and forestry plantations), the conversion of natural peatlands has resulted in negative impacts on the environment and society. The conversion of natural tropical peatlands into other land uses leads to peat fires and the associated health effects, soil subsidence increasing flood risks, substantial greenhouse gas emissions and loss of biodiversity (Jafaar and Loh 2014; Marlier et al 2015; Page and Hooijer 2016; Huijnen et al 2016; Harrison and Rieley 2018)
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