Tropical peatland tree-species diversity altered by forest degradation

Abstract

Astiani D. 2016. Tropical peatland tree-species diversity altered by forest degradation. Biodiversitas 17: 102-109. Indonesian
experienced relatively high deforestation and degradation. The forests degradation could bring the forests into a temporary or might be
permanent destruction not only in forest vegetation density and structure, but also in species composition. A study had been carried out
to examined the impact of peatland forests degradation on their species diversity composition in Ketapang, West Kalimantan peatland
forest. Stratified random sampling was used to distinguished forest degradation class (low, intermediate and high degradation levels) 

based on the differences in spectra image and confirmed with field checking by measuring forest canopy opening to measure the
degradation levels. Six to twelve of a 20x100m plots were established to sample tree structure and composition distributed along
peatland landscape. All trees species diameter >5cm was registered an species identified. Results indicated that tree diversity was
significantly reduce due to forest degradation, in low, intermediate, and high degraded forest were 82, 72, and 48 consecutively. Forest
degradation is not only resulted more than 50% of important species loss in high degraded peatland forest but also reducing ~40% tree
abundance. Ten species were found in high degraded forest, e.g., Calophylum inophyllum, Cyathocalyx biovulatus, Neoscortechinia
kingii, and Eugenia cerina, were not present in low degraded one. The species composition and abundance shifting due to forest
degradation should be considered on peatland forest management to hinder permanent species loss.