Rehabilitation of grassland areas in peat swamp forests in Peninsular Malaysia

Published source details Ismail P., Shamsudin I., Nik Muhamad N.M. & Faridah Hanum I. (2001) Rehabilitation of grassland areas in peat swamp forests in Peninsular Malaysia. Proceedings of the Asian Wetland Symposium, Penang, Malaysia, 57-64.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Introduce nurse plants (to aid focal peatland plants) Action Link
	Directly plant peatland trees/shrubs Action Link
	Cover peatland with organic mulch (after planting) Action Link

Introduce nurse plants (to aid focal peatland plants)

A replicated, paired, controlled study in 1999–2000 in a degraded peat swamp forest in Malaysia (Ismail et al. 2001) reported that planting nurse trees had no effect on the survival of focal planted tree seedlings. No statistical tests were carried out. Six different tree species were planted. After 14 months, 82% of seedlings had survived in plots with nurse trees, compared to 83% of seedlings in plots without nurse trees (data not reported separately for each species). In June 1999, thirty-six plots in a degraded, open peat swamp were planted with peat swamp trees (16 seedlings/plot). There were three pairs of plots for each of six tree species. Eighteen plots (one plot/pair) were also planted with 2 m tall Hopea odorata as nurse trees. The other plots contained no additional trees. All plots were cleared of vegetation before planting and the planting holes were fertilized. Survival was recorded in August 2000.

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)
Directly plant peatland trees/shrubs

A replicated study in 1999–2000 in a degraded peat swamp in Malaysia (Ismail et al. 2001) reported that 50–92% of planted tree seedlings survived over 14 months. No statistical tests were carried out. Of the six planted species, survival was highest for Ganua motleyana (92%) and lowest for Calophyllum ferrugineum (56%). Of four different planting techniques used, three supported high survival rates (82–83%, averaged across species). The fourth technique, adding oil palm fruits as mulch, supported lower survival (50%, averaged across species). In June 1999, tree seedlings were planted into 72 plots (12 plots/species) in a degraded, open peat swamp. Three plots/species were planted using each technique: mulching with oil palm fruit, planting additional nurse trees, adding topsoil or no additional intervention. In all plots, 16 seedlings were planted 3 m apart. Existing vegetation was cleared and fertilizer was added to the planting holes. Survival was recorded in August 2000.

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)
Cover peatland with organic mulch (after planting)

A replicated, paired, controlled study in 1999–2000 in a degraded peat swamp in Malaysia (Ismail et al. 2001) reported that mulching with oil palm fruits reduced the survival of planted tree seedlings. No statistical tests were carried out. After 14 months, 50% of mulched seedlings had survived, compared to 83% of seedlings that were not mulched. The mulch attracted wild boars (which damaged the seedlings) and produced a hot vapour (which may have dried the seedlings). In June 1999, thirty-six plots in a degraded, open peat swamp were planted with peat swamp trees (16 seedlings/plot). There were three pairs of plots for each of six tree species. Eighteen plots (one plot/pair) were mulched with fresh oil palm fruit skins. The other plots were not mulched. All plots were cleared of vegetation before planting and the planting holes were fertilized. Survival was recorded in August 2000.

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)