Flood Risk 2009 2109 Rajang Peatlands DELTARES 2015
Flooding projections for oil palm plantations in the
Rajang Delta peatlands,
Sarawak,
Malaysia. Deltares experts are investigating how deforestation and drainage of tropical peatlands in Sarawak, Malaysia will cause subsidence in the future. Subsidence leads to increased water management problems and flooding.
Model results suggest that flood risk was already high, i.e. the surface below the drainage limit, in 29 % of oil palm plantations by 2009. This is projected to increase to 42 % in 25 years, 56 % in 50 years, and 82 % in
100 years. It is predicted that at some
point, oil palm production will have to be abandoned.
It is recommended that to ensure a more sustainable future for the area, and other tropical peatlands like it, non-drained land use alternatives should be urgently consider
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