NEARLY a third of the Badas Dome, an area of ecologically-rich peat that is thousands of years old in Belait district, has been disturbed due to sand mining and other activities, an ongoing joint study by Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) Co Sdn Bhd and Wetlands International (WI) has found.

The first round of surveys in the study area carried out earlier this year also identified new dragonfly and frog species to Brunei.

It is estimated that 90 per cent of naturally waterlogged peatland consists of sedimented organic matter, which acts as a carbon-storing sink. However, if disturbed and drained by industry, agriculture or for development, this trapped carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, potentially aggravating the effects of global warming.

Peatlands cover about 18 per cent of Brunei's land area, and most of it is found in Belait. The district is home to at least nine different types of peat swamp forest, which are found on dome-shaped land, with Badas being the largest.

Sand mining is being blamed for an estimated 10 to 15 per cent of the disturbance to the Badas Dome in areas south of the Lumut and Seria bypasses, according to results of the collaborative 18-month project, which encompasses a 30,000-hectare area that included the whole of the peat dome.

The sand was mined from underneath the peat, and scientists from WI said that if left to continue unabated, "more areas of peat will be degraded with increased fire risk and CO2 emissions".

Peatlands were traditionally drained for human development, but the activity leads to the peat drying out and decomposing, making it "very susceptible" to fires and hazardous smog. Land can also subside, increasing the risk of flooding and damage to infrastructure.

The scientists also noted that there "seemed to be no plan as to what to do with the old sand mining areas once operations had finished".

The peat is believed to be four to five thousand years old, sedimented over time in what used to be a bay. Mangroves developed in the brackish waters, followed by the emergence of peat swamps as the land moved seawards, the scientists said in an email interview.

The study to develop a "biodiversity action plan" for the lower Belait district will see the development of a habitat classification system for the project area. The first phase of the study was conducted from March to April this year on peat fish, birds, dragonflies and herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) with "interesting" results.

Apart from two sightings of the rare and elusive clouded leopard, the scientists also recorded 150 bird species, including the threatened peatswamp "specialists" such as the Wrinkled Hornbill.

More than 60 dragonfly species were also documented, including two species new to Brunei's records. The researchers said "probably" half the world's species of one dragonfly was found flying in the project area. A species of frog new to Brunei was also found among 15 frog species recorded, as well as 15 known peat fish species.

More species are expected to be documented when more surveys are conducted in the project area.

"This will be an update on the available species for Brunei, especially if there are new records. This is significant because there have not been any surveys done inside the peat swamps," the scientists said.

The database of species will help to identify biodiversity hotspots in Belait district, which can then be useful for decision makers when considering development, they said.

The second phase of surveys is expected to commence in the near future. The scientists also said some "on-the-ground actions" would be implemented this year, including the reforestation and blockage of drainage canals to reduce the spread of fire.

Apart from the risk posed by sand mining and other forms of development, peat ecosystems are also exposed to "high pressure" from animal hunting and trapping activities.

In a report in 2010, Dr Jonathan Davies of WI said an estimated 20 per cent of Brunei's 100,000 hectares of peatlands had suffered from degradation.

The Brunei Times