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Ayer Hitam Peat Swamp Forest Reserve, Muar, Johor
Malaysia, Johor, Parit Tengah, Parit Sulong
The Ayer Hitam Peat Swamp Forest Reserve is the largest swamp forest in Johor. This peat forest covers 3.797 hectares of land. The surroundings of the reserve are dominated by oil palm plantations, fruit orchards and vegetable farms. These actions cause the destruction of natural habitats of animals including Betta persephone. Photos of the reserve are taken by Mohd Ilham Norakim Lokman.
- Submitted by
- Kamil Wronikowski
- Approved by
- Heok Hee Ng & Greg Martin
- GPS
- 2.0321455, 102.7991257
- Geographical region
- Southeastern Asia
- Drainage Basin
- River catchment
- Water body type
- Wetland
- Water body name
- Ayer Hitam Peat Swamp Forest Reserve
- Water body part
- Water body course
- Water body: tributary of
- Tributary name
Videos above and below water
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Water Chemistry
Water information
- Water type
- fresh-water
- Water color
- Black water
- Water transparency
- Medium
- Concentration of sediments
- Medium
- Water temperature
- 25-26 °C
- Water flow/curent
- None
Chemical parameters
- pH
- 4
- Conductivity
- 73
- GH
- dGH
- KH
- dKH
- Dissolved Oxygen
- 24.5 %
Substrate in nature
- Sand
- None
- Pebble/Gravel
- None
- Stone
- None
- Stone form
- Silt/Mud
- Black
- Leaves
- Many
- Driftwood
- Many
- Submerged terrestrial vegetation
- Yes
Aquatic Biotope
- Date of collecting
- June, 2022
- Collecting area
- Flooded area
- Water depth
- 0,2m
- Air temperature
- 28 °C
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
Environment
- Environment
- Affected by human activity
- Affected by human activity
- Agriculture
- Agriculture
- Advanced
- Surrounding area
The Ayer Hitam Peat Swamp Forest Reserve has countless small ponds where live various aquatic organisms.
The reserve areas are densely forested. The reserve is surrounded by many oil palm plots and agricultural land that cause environmental degradation. Ayer Hitam Peat Swamp forest develops between three river systems: Muar River in the northwest, Sarang Buaya River in the south and Batu Pahat River in the southeast.
- Underwater landscape
Most ponds have no underwater plants. In such an environment there is little light through the canopy of trees. Water has an amber color due to humic acid and other substances from decomposing organic matter. The bottom consists of peat and silt and dead leaves, branches and roots of trees that provide a hiding place for fish and other aquatic organisms.
Fishes:
- Betta bellica (Osphronemidae)
- Betta persephone (Osphronemidae)
- Boraras maculatus (Danionidae)
- Rasbora einthovenii (Danionidae)
- Lepidocephalichthys tomaculum (Cobitidae)
Aquatic plants:
- Cryptocoryne x purpurea (Araceae) – The hybrid formula is C. cordata × C. griffithii.
- Lemna minor (Araceae)
- Threats to ecology
Ayer Hitam Peat Swamp Forest Reserve is the largest swamp-peat forest in Johor. It is a shelter for many animals and plants. There are many endemic species in this reserve. One of them is Betta persephone.
The biggest threat to AHPSFR are oil palm plantations. Farmers often enter the AHPSFR and turn the wilderness into plantations, which contributes to environmental degradation. Often, farmers use inorganic fertilizers and pesticides that enter AHPSFR watercourses from oil palm plantations and cause water pollution.
Another threat is illegal logging. As a result, the forest floor dries out and powerful fires are created, causing significant damage to the AHPSFR.
In addition, illegal mining also contributes to the destruction of the natural environment.
Riparian zone
- Trees near the aquatic habitat
-
Many -
