Water Management for Integrated Peatland Restoration in Pulau Tebing Tinggi PHU, Riau

Abstract

AbstractWater management is an important aspect for hydrological restoration in the tropical peatland because the availability of water is not evenly distributed in the dry and rainy seasons. The aim of this study was to conduct action research focusing on water management for integrated peatland restoration at Pulau Tebing Tinggi Peatland Hydrological Unit (PHU), Riau, Indonesia. The actions were to implement some research results and findings by developing demo-plots for a pilot project and analyzing their impact. The pilot project for water management was developed at Pulau Tebing Tinggi PHU not only for the purpose of peat rewetting, but also to support revegetation efforts and revitalization of livelihood. Pulau Tebing Tinggi PHU, located in Kepulauan Meranti Regency, Riau Province, is susceptible to peat fires. In 2014, big peat fires occurred in Pulau Tebing Tinggi PHU and several peatland areas in Riau, causing a haze disaster that lasted for about 2 months. The disaster produced a sickening and deadly cloud of smoky pollution that not only threatened Indonesia but also neighboring countries.The Thornthwaite-Mather water balance (TMWB) model was applied for water balance analysis as a basis for water management in the research site. A masterplan for water management was developed which was integrated with revegetation and revitalization of livelihood approaches. Canal block constructions, paludiculture, and aquaculture were the integrated activities carried out to support peatland restoration. Two types of canal blocks, whose main materials were wood and vinyl sheet pile, were introduced in this pilot project. Four key parameters of peatland restoration progress were monitored periodically, namely water table, land subsidence, CO2 emissions, and vegetation growth. This research found that by applying water management properly, the water table can be maintained at a stable and high level in wet peatlands. Water management by applying canal blocking has a good impact for keeping groundwater elevation and keeping peatland in a wet condition for a distance of 400 m upstream from the canal block.