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Peatlands in Malaysia are the most widespread type of wetlands, occurring in more than six of the 13 states and covering an area of about 2.13 million (approximately 6.46% of the total land area). Peatlands possess a very delicate and unique ecosystem with important ecological functions and values. They are recognised as environmentally sensitive areas (ESA)in the National Physical Plan (NPP). The uses and values of peatlands in Malaysia can be categorised into those that pertain to socio-economics (eg. forestry, agriculture, infrastructure, community livelihood, etc) and those that pertain to protective or conservational purposes (eg. forest, flood mitigation, water supply and as carbon stores). However, threats to peatlands and their values are of great concern due to problems faced as a result of current management practices. One of the main problems faced in peatlands here is the issue of peatland fires, which has contributed to the annually recurring episodes of transboundary haze pollution in the SE Asian region.
Peatlands in Malaysia are the most widespread type of wetlands, occurring in more than six of the 13 states and covering an area of about 2.13 million (approximately 6.46% of the total land area). Peatlands possess a very delicate and unique ecosystem with important ecological functions and values. They are recognised as environmentally sensitive areas (ESA)in the National Physical Plan (NPP). The uses and values of peatlands in Malaysia can be categorised into those that pertain to socio-economics (eg. forestry, agriculture, infrastructure, community livelihood, etc) and those that pertain to protective or conservational purposes (eg. forest, flood mitigation, water supply and as carbon stores). However, threats to peatlands and their values are of great concern due to problems faced as a result of current management practices. One of the main problems faced in peatlands here is the issue of peatland fires, which has contributed to the annually recurring episodes of transboundary haze pollution in the SE Asian region.
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Distribution and status of peatlands
Peatlands are mostly found in the states of Selangor, Johor, Perak, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak. The largest area of peat is found in Sarawak, which is more than 1 million ha. Approximately 50% of the total peatland area in Malaysia is designated as permanent reserves. The remaining areas have been converted for other uses whilst some are still designated as state forests land. Read more >>
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Value of peatlands
Peatlands in Malaysia support significant biological diversity. In Peninsular Malaysia, 132 tree species were recorded in an area of 5ha in the Bebar Forest Reserve in Pahang. Read more >>
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Threats faced by peatlands
Increasing pressures for land development (e.g. agriculture, infrastructure) have affected peatlands in Malaysia over the past 20 years. A number of these threats directly stem from or are associated to land conversion, especially for agricultural practices, that have been managed in an unsustainable manner. Read more >>
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Photo gallery:
Aerial survey of Raja Musa Forest Reserve, Selangor
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Photo gallery:
Friends of Raja Musa Peat Swamp Forest
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APFP 2010-2014