Aspects of ecosystem recovery in human-dominated tropical landscape: case study of degraded tropical peat-swamp forest in Ex Mega Rice Project, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Knowledge on ecosystem recovery processes supports the efficacyof ecological restoration program like forest rehabilitation.However in reality ecosystem recovery process receives less attention in desighn of ecological restoration program.Thus based on literature review,case study in rehabilitationof degraded peat swampfprest Ex Mega Riceproject in central Kilimantan,indonesia was reviewed to discuss the gap between current concepts of ocosystem recovery with the real conditions and ground.information collected thhrough this study is usedfor planning, implementationand monitoring the longterm ecosystem recovery process of degraded tropical forest.From the analysis,this paper concluded that degree of degradtion, ecosystemresiliency and ecosystem sensitivity arethe major ecological aspects in ecosystem recovery.However the dynamic of degradedecosystem determines the possibility of ecosystemto be restored in historical state.Morever maintaining long term ecosystemrecovery process is a challenge by time and cost,however community involvement may reduce the challenges. Making the restoration program as a local livelihood-oriented program may become one of the options to enhance community participation. Hence, to improve the ecosystemservices in the degraded ecosystems,both ecological and social aspect need to be addressed particular in phase of determining the goals of the program