One of the most unique ecosystems is the peat swamp forest, this is because this ecosystem has relatively different characteristics from other forests in general. Different forest conditions also affect the types of flora and fauna in it. In addition, this ecosystem has an important role in the balance of the world's climate. This is because peat stores up to 30 – 70% carbon stocks.
The thing that is very unfortunate about this ecosystem is that it is a very fragile ecosystem. This means that the condition of the peat swamp forest ecosystem is very easily disturbed or damaged. One of the things that often occurs in peatland conditions is fires. When a fire occurs, a lot of carbon stocks are released into the air, not only methane gas, but other carbon oxides such as CO2 or even CO.
The release of these greenhouse gasses in addition to making the air quality index (KPI) worse, also affects the global warming process. From here, other environmental problems will also emerge simultaneously.
Of course we don't want this to happen and we want our environmental conditions, especially peat forests, to be maintained. The real steps you can take to overcome the damage to the peat ecosystem are three things, namely preventing fires from happening, activities when fires occur, and after fires occur. What are the activities of these three things.
1. Prevent fire. There are many steps you can take as a preventive measure, namely educating the public regarding peat and its relation to forest fires, keeping the peat swamp forest moist/wet (usually carried out by certain parties).
2. When the fire. What you can do is become a volunteer in the process of extinguishing the fire directly.
3. After the fire. You can restore land after fires for restoration and commit to taking action to prevent forest and land fires.
Those are some things that can be done to prevent and protect the condition of peat swamp forest.
written by Muhammad Andi Hamka
