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The Giam Siak Kecil–Bukit Batu Landscape
An introduction to the Giam Siak Kecil–Bukit Batu landscape, an important area for peatland ecosystems and biodiversity in Riau.
The Giam Siak Kecil–Bukit Batu (GSK-BB) landscape lies between 101° 6′ 44.96″ and 102° 9′ 55.52″ East, and between 1° 40′ 19.99″ and 0° 32′ 23.52″ North. Covering 941,200 hectares, it extends across Bengkalis, Dumai, Kampar, Pekanbaru, Rokan Hilir and Siak, encompassing 23 districts and 148 villages. The landscape includes 3 conservation areas: Giam Siak Kecil Wildlife Reserve, Bukit Batu Wildlife Reserve and Sultan Syarif Hasyim Forest Park.
Forest Management Units operating at site level include KPH Bagan Siapi-Api (733.1 hectares), KPH Bengkalis Pulau (242,323.9 hectares), KPH Mandau (155,085 hectares) and KPH Minas Tahura (101,674.6 hectares). The account also lists 4 designated conservation areas: Bukit Batu Wildlife Reserve (21,673.5 hectares), Giam Siak Kecil (78,365.4 hectares), PLG Sebanga (5,732.8 hectares) and Sultan Syarif Kasim Forest Park (6,457 hectares).
Peat in the GSK-BB landscape, particularly east of Bukit Batu Wildlife Reserve, has a classic dome shape: deeper in the centre and shallower towards the edges. This structure is important for water storage, especially during dry periods, because peat’s capacity to retain water depends on its depth, quality and density.
The landscape’s lakes, or tasik, support local livelihoods by providing fish for consumption. The account records 156 named rivers across 5 river basins and 3 peat hydrological units, with carbon reserves of around 59 thousand tonnes.