PEAT SWAMP FOREST

Peat swamp forest can be found in lowland area of Borneo. The stream in peat swamp forest are mostly black colored. The water is acidic (PH is between 3 to 6) with very low contain of oxygen levels and low calcium concentrations. Most of fish species in peat swamp are small and some even found hiding in the peat soils or leaves litter and persist there even the streams dried up during the dry season.

About 11,000 years ago, the sea level in Borneo rose and the mangrove forests growing near the coastal area died and replaced by Pulai forests. Then, Padang Alan forest, Alan forest and Alan Bunga forest replaced Pulai forest. Later, Padang Paya Pole forest replaced that three forests.

Then, the peat swamp forest replaced all the forests. The peat soil can be as deep as 20 m ! The water sources are mostly from the rainwater.

Some of the trees developed stilt roots in peat swamp forest to provide support on the unstable waterlogged substrates.

Most of the peat swamp are covered by a thick layer of leaves litter. When you take away the leaves litter, it is  water .....which is very low in PH.

This tiny red betta fish called Betta brownorum (less than 4cm ) is found hiding inside the leaves litter of peat swamp forest.

The water in peat swamp is mostly either red or black colored.

There are so many species of flora and fauna found inside the peat swamp.

Peat swamp forest of Matang. Due to the rapid development in Kuching area (including Matang), the coverage area of peat swamp forest at Matang is declining, year by year. Perhaps after 10 years later, there is no more peat swamp forest in Kuching area.

The tree roots are growing upward so that it can breathe the air.