Professor Of IPB: Indonesia's Peat Land Is Vulnerable To Burn Without An Ecohedrological Approach

Illustration of forest fires (ANTARA)

JAKARTA Professor of the Department of Geophysics and Meteorology IPB, Muh. Taufik, emphasized the importance of implementing an ecohidrology approach in Indonesia's peatland management. According to him, this scientific-based approach is the key to maintaining a balance between ecological, hydrology, and economic interests amid the increasing risk of drought and peatland fires.

Indonesia has about 14 million hectares of peatlands that store up to 50 gigatons of carbon, almost half of the world's total world's tropical peat carbon reserves. This has great potential, but it is at the same time vulnerable if its management is not based on natural balance," said Taufik in Pre-Oration Professor, Thursday, October 23.

He explained that the decline in groundwater level (TMAT) due to land conversion since the 1990s had worsened peat conditions and increased the frequency of fires. Transformation into plantations and industrial forests, plus an intensive drainage system, causes the land to dryer.

Our research shows drought in degraded land could increase four times compared to natural forests, said Taufik.

Taufik emphasized that TMAT is the main indicator that determines the rate of drought and the risk of peat fires. Through research conducted, his team developed the Peak Fire Vulnerability Index (PFVI), a model that utilizes three hydrometeorological variables rainfall, air temperature, and TMAT to predict the vulnerability of the fire.

"Our research results show that TMAT 40 centimeters is a critical threshold for drought. Fires usually occur if TMAT drops more than 60 centimeters," he explained.

This PFVI model has been integrated with the Weather and Research Forecasting (WRF) weather system to estimate the potential for fires for the next 14 days. With this system, the government and related institutions can carry out early detection and fire mitigation more effectively.

In addition to fire mitigation, Taufik also highlighted the importance of linking the ecohydral approach to a green economy through a digital platform called RAMIN (R-based Assessment for Modeling Indonesian Nature). This platform combines hydrology modeling, carbon emission calculations, and carbon credit valuation of peatland management practices.

RAMIN allows real-time data-based management and local knowledge. So, in addition to preserving peat, we can also benefit from the economy from carbon trading," he said.

According to Taufik, the success of the green economy in the peat sector will depend heavily on transparent and credible carbon trading infrastructure. If our carbon market is managed properly, ecohidrology will not only protect the ecosystem, but also open up economic opportunities for regions and communities," he concluded.