Reclamation of underproductive lands can aid forest connectivity
KINABATANGAN: Underproductive oil palm has a key role to play in restoring tropical rainforest connectivity.
A new study, published in the journal Forest Ecology and Management, finds that lands naturally regrowing from abandoned oil palm plantations can regenerate forest canopy to levels often found in primary forest in as little as 17 years.
“Our study indicates that natural reclamation of underproductive agricultural lands can provide a cost-effective pathway for the reestablishment of habitat connectivity,” remarked first author Luke Evans, a postdoctoral researcher at the Carnegie Institution for Science and with Danau Girang Field Centre.
The authors also report that natural forest regrowth can provide usable habitat for the endangered Bornean elephant.
“In a time of rapidly dwindling forest cover due to oil palm plantation expansion, any return of less productive land to forest is turning out to be important. Our study shows that forest recovery is a valuable pathway to generating critical habitat for elephants and other endangered fauna,” said co-author Greg Asner of the Carnegie Institution for Science.
Using airborne laser imaging of the forest from the Carnegie Airborne Observatory, the study quantified the scale of habitat regeneration by examining canopy coverage, tree heights and carbon storage. These factors were used to assess overall habitat quality and suitability for wildlife.
Evans commented, “We were able to use high-quality habitat data to assess how the forest has naturally regenerated over a 17year period and subsequently track elephants increasing utilization of the site over the course of six years.”
The findings have important implications for ongoing efforts to put more forest under protection in Sabah.
Asner added: “This study is another key contribution to a project supporting the Sabah Forestry Department’s effort to generate more protected forest area for conservation.”
Dr Benoit Goossens, director of Danau Girang Field Centre and Reader at Cardiff School of Biosciences, said: “We hope that this study will help to convince plantation owners to aid us in our efforts to restore lowland forest connectivity in Sabah. This can be achieved at minimal cost to land owners whilst dramatically aiding public relations.”