Tropi targets setting up open data repository to monitor greenhouse gas, environmental factors in peatland conservation

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By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 16: Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute (Tropi) aims to establish an open data repository for measuring greenhouse gases and environmental factors in peat swamp areas.

In a news report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Tropi director Datu Dr Lulie Melling highlighted Sarawak’s significant advancements in global efforts to preserve peat swamp forests.

“This seminar serves as a vital platform for strengthening expertise in peat swamp forest management, bridging knowledge gaps, and promoting scientific careers alongside strategies for managing carbon and nutrients,” she stated during her speech at the Living Labs for Wetland Research (LiWeFoR) 2024 Seminar at Tropi in Kota Samarahan yesterday (Oct 15).

The seminar, organised in collaboration with the University of Tartu, Estonia, and the Malaysian Peat Society (MPS), attracted researchers and stakeholders from around the world.

Lulie urged participants to engage actively in discussions and build strong partnerships to tackle the challenges facing peat swamp forests and the environment at large.

“We are honoured by the presence of such a diverse group of researchers and stakeholders. Your expertise is crucial for exploring innovative solutions for the sustainable future of peat swamp forests,” she said.

She also expressed her gratitude to the Tropi team and Prof Ulo Mander from the University of Tartu for their commitment to the seminar’s success.

The LiWeFoR project includes collaborations with prestigious international institutions such as the University of Helsinki, Finland; Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany; Amazon Research Institute of Peru (IIAP), Peru; and the University of Tartu, which receives research funding from the European Union (EU).

Lulie hopes the seminar will positively impact participants, providing valuable experiences that contribute to the long-term preservation of the peat swamp ecosystem.

Various countries including Germany, Peru, and Finland also participated in the seminar, which is anticipated to make significant contributions to the sustainable management of peat swamp forests globally.

Following the seminar, a two-week field campaign will be conducted in the Maludam peatland forest and oil palm plantations in Sri Aman, Betong, and Sibu.

The field activities will focus on measuring greenhouse gas emissions and studying carbon and nutrient cycles in peatlands using innovative techniques. — DayakDaily

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