Climate Change and Social Forestry: An Overview of CIFOR Research on Enhancing Resilience in Boreal and Tropical Forest Landscape

The climate crisis highlights the importance of forests in both mitigating and adapting to climate change, as well as in supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To promote the better understanding and valuing of the critical role forests play, and to develop holistic approaches to protecting and maintaining them, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) has adopted the mission “to bring scientific knowledge to bear on major decisions affecting the world’s tropical forests and the people who depend on them”. This paper highlights an important topic in CIFOR’s research portfolio – forests’ diverse roles in climate change mitigation and adaptation and how forest governance ensures the equitable and sustainable wellbeing of people, both locally and globally. As one of the founding donor countries of CIFOR, the Government of Japan has consistently supported CIFOR’s research through Japanese scientists collaborating in research projects and/or serving as members of CIFOR’s Board. This paper, therefore, specifically highlights research projects funded directly by the Government of Japan, in particular

Handbook for ICT Projects for Rural Areas

This handbook identifies guidelines and fundamental requirements that can be of use to project managers and teams who are keen on initiating ICT projects in rural areas. Contents are based on the experiences by the authors when rolling out ICT projects in remote areas within Asia Pacific. The handbook is an accumulation of ideas and experiences from SHARE projects, an initiative driven by Telecommunication Technology Committee Japan (TTC) Japan, in which four countries, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, have rolled out various technology-based projects in remote and rural locations. The book describes a narrative of guidelines, which are organised according to phases of development for a technology-enabled solution. The writing of the handbook takes into account the unique considerations for accommodating to local needs and competencies in remote and rural communities

Tree species that 'live slow, die older' enhance tropical peat swamp restoration : Evidence from a systematic review

Degraded tropical peatlands lack tree cover and are often subject to seasonal flooding and repeated burning. These harsh environments for tree seedlings to survive and grow are therefore challenging to revegetate. Knowledge on species performance from previous plantings represents an important evidence base to help guide future tropical peat swamp forest (TPSF) restoration efforts. We conducted a systematic review of the survival and growth of tree species planted in degraded peatlands across Southeast Asia to examine (1) species differences, (2) the impact of seedling and site treatments on survival and growth and (3) the potential use of plant functional traits to predict seedling survival and growth rates. Planted seedling monitoring data were compiled through a systematic review of journal articles, conference proceedings, reports, theses and unpublished datasets. In total, 94 study-sites were included, spanning three decades from 1988 to 2019, and including 141 indigenous peatland tree and palm species. Accounting for variable planting numbers and monitoring durations, we analysed three measures of survival and growth: (1) final survival weighted by the number of seedlings planted, (2) half-life, that is, duration until 50% mortality and (3) relative growth rates (RGR) corrected for initial planting height of seedlings. Average final survival was 62% and half-life was 33 months across all species, sites and treatments. Species differed significantly in survival and half-life. Seedling and site treatments had small effects with the strongest being higher survival of mycorrhizal fungi inoculated seedlings; lower survival, half-life and RGR when shading seedlings; and lower RGR and higher survival when fertilising seedlings. Leaf nutrient and wood density traits predicted TPSF species survival, but not half-life and RGR. RGR and half-life were negatively correlated, meaning that slower growing species survived for longer. Synthesis and applications. To advance tropical peat swamp reforestation requires expanding the number and replication of species planted and testing treatments by adopting control vs. treatment experimental designs. Species selection should involve slower growing species (e.g. Lophopetalum rigidum, Alstonia spatulata, Madhuca motleyana) that survive for longer and explore screening species based on functional traits associated with nutrient acquisition, flooding tolerance and recovery from fire.Peer reviewe

Tree species that 'live slow, die older' enhance tropical peat swamp restoration : Evidence from a systematic review

Degraded tropical peatlands lack tree cover and are often subject to seasonal flooding and repeated burning. These harsh environments for tree seedlings to survive and grow are therefore challenging to revegetate. Knowledge on species performance from previous plantings represents an important evidence base to help guide future tropical peat swamp forest (TPSF) restoration efforts. We conducted a systematic review of the survival and growth of tree species planted in degraded peatlands across Southeast Asia to examine (1) species differences, (2) the impact of seedling and site treatments on survival and growth and (3) the potential use of plant functional traits to predict seedling survival and growth rates. Planted seedling monitoring data were compiled through a systematic review of journal articles, conference proceedings, reports, theses and unpublished datasets. In total, 94 study-sites were included, spanning three decades from 1988 to 2019, and including 141 indigenous peatland tree and palm species. Accounting for variable planting numbers and monitoring durations, we analysed three measures of survival and growth: (1) final survival weighted by the number of seedlings planted, (2) half-life, that is, duration until 50% mortality and (3) relative growth rates (RGR) corrected for initial planting height of seedlings. Average final survival was 62% and half-life was 33 months across all species, sites and treatments. Species differed significantly in survival and half-life. Seedling and site treatments had small effects with the strongest being higher survival of mycorrhizal fungi inoculated seedlings; lower survival, half-life and RGR when shading seedlings; and lower RGR and higher survival when fertilising seedlings. Leaf nutrient and wood density traits predicted TPSF species survival, but not half-life and RGR. RGR and half-life were negatively correlated, meaning that slower growing species survived for longer. Synthesis and applications. To advance tropical peat swamp reforestation requires expanding the number and replication of species planted and testing treatments by adopting control vs. treatment experimental designs. Species selection should involve slower growing species (e.g. Lophopetalum rigidum, Alstonia spatulata, Madhuca motleyana) that survive for longer and explore screening species based on functional traits associated with nutrient acquisition, flooding tolerance and recovery from fire.Peer reviewe

Impacts of fire and prospects for recovery in a tropical peat forest ecosystem

Uncontrolled fires place considerable burdens on forest ecosystems, compromising our ability to meet conservation and restoration goals. A poor understanding of the impacts of fire on ecosystems and their biodiversity exacerbates this challenge, particularly in tropical regions where few studies have applied consistent analytical techniques to examine a broad range of ecological impacts over multiyear time frames. We compiled 16 y of data on ecosystem properties (17 variables) and biodiversity (21 variables) from a tropical peatland in Indonesia to assess fire impacts and infer the potential for recovery. Burned forest experienced altered structural and microclimatic conditions, resulting in a proliferation of nonforest vegetation and erosion of forest ecosystem properties and biodiversity. Compared to unburned forest, habitat structure, tree density, and canopy cover deteriorated by 58 to 98%, while declines in species diversity and abundance were most pronounced for trees, damselflies, and butterflies, particularly for forest specialist species. Tracking ecosystem property and biodiversity datasets over time revealed most to be sensitive to recurrent high-intensity fires within the wider landscape. These megafires immediately compromised water quality and tree reproductive phenology, crashing commercially valuable fish populations within 3 mo and driving a gradual decline in threatened vertebrates over 9 mo. Burned forest remained structurally compromised long after a burn event, but vegetation showed some signs of recovery over a 12-y period. Our findings demonstrate that, if left uncontrolled, fire may be a pervasive threat to the ecological functioning of tropical forests, underscoring the importance of fire prevention and long-term restoration efforts, as exemplified in Indonesia

Influence of fire and drainage on evapotranspiration in a degraded peat swamp forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Tropical peat swamp forests (PSFs) play a significant role in the exchange of water between land and the atmosphere. However, fire and drainage have been expanding in PSFs in recent decades. Although there is concern on the influence of fire and drainage on water circulation, their influence on evapotranspiration (ET) is insufficiently understood. Furthermore, repeated fire occurrences and their corresponding influence on the ET by recurrent burning and smoldering is unexplored. To elucidate these influences, we examined long-term variation of ET in a degraded peat swamp forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia that was affected by drainage and repeated fire. The continuous observation of energy fluxes was conducted for approximately 13 years between 2004 and 2016 by using the eddy covariance technique. The site burned in 2009 and 2014, and was drained in 2014. Monthly ET and net radiation (R-n) fluctuated in synchrony and thus they decreased considerably under fire-induced dense haze during the El Nino drought. Troughs of ET, groundwater level (GWL) and R-n and crests of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) coincided in their time-series variations. In the case of ET > precipitation (P), ET decreased when the GWL was deeper than -0.5 m. Half-hourly ET had a strong positive correlation with R-n (R = 0.89, p < 0.01), and partial positive relationship with VPD when VPD < 20 hPa and with GWL when GWL < -0.5 m. ET had no correlation with the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), which represents above ground biomass for the entire observation period. Alternately, the results of path analysis showed that some environmental factors controlled ET differently depending on environmental conditions. Generally, VPD negatively affected ET due to stomatal regulation functions under dry atmospheric conditions. However, the effect was negligible during the water-logged periods. This is because atmospheric dryness facilitated evaporation from exposed water on the ground surface, which canceled out the negative effect of transpiration due to stomatal closure. After drainage by canal excavation, fluctuation of GWL did not significantly influence ET, although ET decreased. This may be due to the hydrophobic dried peat soil, which prevents rainwater infiltration, disconnection of capillary force, or disabled root water uptake as GWL excessively deepened. Fire potentially decreased ET due to decreased transpiration by burning of vegetation. However, the decreasing effect was cancelled by increased evaporation from the waterlogged ground surface during the subsequent La Nina event. Drainage undoubtedly deepened the GWL, and ET severely decreased in cases with extremely deep GWL

Influence of disturbances and environmental changes on albedo in tropical peat ecosystems

Tropical peat swamp forests have been experiencing drastic disturbances, such as deforestation, drainage, and fire. We examined how such disturbances influence albedo, which regulates radiative energy exchange between the terrestrial surface and the atmosphere. We conducted continuous field observations at three sites: undrained forest (UF), drained forest (DF), and drained burned ex-forest (DB), in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, for over 13 years. Observed albedo was strongly influenced by haze caused by fire because the haze layer covering the canopy has a relatively high reflectance. Under severe haze conditions in October 2015, apparent albedo increased to 0.156, 0.162, and 0.183 at the UF, DF, and DB sites respectively. Mean monthly albedos excluding fire periods were 0.094 +/- 0.005, 0.092 +/- 0.006, and 0.099 +/- 0.017 (mean +/- 1 standard deviation) at the UF, DF, and DB sites respectively. Seasonal fluctuation in albedo at the DB site, where ferns were dominant, was greater than at the UF and DF sites. Albedo at the DF site was significantly lower than that at the UF site from February to August (p < 0.05). At the forest sites the albedo increased as groundwater level decreased. Albedo was higher under high vapor pressure deficit at all sites. At the DB site albedo decreased when the soil surface was water-saturated and patched with puddles, potentially due to the low albedo of open water. The albedo at the DB site was lower than that at the forest sites at the beginning of the observation period. Subsequently, the albedo increased and exceeded those at the UF and DF sites immediately after fire damage in 2009. This could be explained by the expansion of bright-colored ferns and sedges over dark-colored peat soil. According to our results, haze, groundwater level, and vegetation cover significantly influence albedo in tropical peat swamp forests

Assessing the carbon dioxide balance of a degraded tropical peat swamp forest following multiple fire events of different intensities

Tropical peat swamp forest is a unique ecosystem rich in carbon and water, accumulating a huge amount of carbon as peat. However, the huge carbon pool has been threatened by oxidative peat decomposition and fire loss mainly because of deforestation and drainage. Fire causes acute carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through the combustion of biomass and peat. Also, fire should change the CO2 balance of postfire ecosystems. Although it is crucial to quantify CO2 balance even after a fire event to understand the total fire impact, information based on field measurement is lacking. Thus, we had measured eddy CO2 flux above a repeatedly burned degraded peat forest for about 13 years since 2004. The site was a stable CO2 source of 147 290 g C m(-2) yr(-1) for five years after a stand-replacing fire in 2002. Unexpectedly, a moderate-severity fire in 2009 changed the site to a CO2 sink of about 600 g C m(-2) yr(-1). The drastic change would have been caused by a large decrease in the decomposition of plant debris, which had accumulated since the 2002 fire but was burned by the 2009 fire. In contrast, gross primary production (GPP) remained about the same even though vegetation was damaged, mainly because year-round wet conditions caused by a La Nina event promoted the regrowth of hygrophilous herbaceous plants and were favorable to their GPP. The site also had a low-severity fire and was drained in 2014 but did not return to a CO2 source. However, the net ecosystem CO2 uptake after the 2009 fire was insufficient to recover a large amount of fire CO2 emission. If CO2 emissions from four fires in 1999, 2002, 2009 and 2014 are counted, the site is expected to owe an outstanding CO2 debt of 25 kg C m(-2)

Factors affecting oxidative peat decomposition due to land use in tropical peat swamp forests in Indonesia

The increasing frequency of fire due to drainage of tropical peatland has become a major environmental problem in Southeast Asia. To clarify the effects of changes in land use on carbon dioxide emissions, we measured oxidative peat decomposition (PD) at different stages of disturbance at three sites in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia: an undrained peat swamp forest (UF), a heavily drained peat swamp forest (DF), and a drained and burned ex-forest (DB). PD exhibited seasonality, being less in the wet season and greater in the dry season. From February 2014 to December 2015, mean PD (± SE) were 1.90 ± 0.19, 2.30 ± 0.33, and 1.97 ± 0.25 μmol m[-2] s[-1] at UF, DF, and DB, respectively. The groundwater level (GWL) was a major controlling factor of PD at all sites. At UF and DF, PD and GWL showed significant quadratic relationships. At DB, PD and GWL showed significant positive and negative relationships during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Using these relationships, we estimated annual PD from GWL data for 2014 and 2015 as 698 and 745 g C m[-2] yr[−1]at UF (mean GWL: − 0.23 and − 0.39 m), 775 and 825 g C m[-2] yr[−1] at DF (− 0.55 and − 0.59 m), and 646 and 748 g C m[-2] yr[−1] at DB (− 0.22 and − 0.62 m), respectively. The annual PD was significantly higher in DF than in UF or DB, in both years. Despite the very dry conditions, the annual PD values at these sites were much lower than those reported for tropical peat at plantations (e.g., oil palm, rubber, and acacia). The differences in the relationship between PD and GWL indicate that separate estimations are required for each type of land. Moreover, our results suggest that PD can be enhanced by drainage both in forests and at burned sites