| Abstrak/Abstract |
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused global disruption, with the emergence of this
and other pandemics having been linked to habitat encroachment and/or wildlife
exploitation. High impacts of COVID-19 are apparent in some countries with large
tropical peatland areas, some of which are relatively poorly resourced to tackle disease pandemics. Despite this, no previous investigation has considered tropical
peatlands in the context of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). Here, we review:
(i) the potential for future EIDs arising from tropical peatlands; (ii) potential threats
to tropical peatland conservation and local communities from COVID-19; and
(iii) potential steps to help mitigate these risks. We find that high biodiversity in
tropical peat-swamp forests, including presence of many potential vertebrate and
invertebrate vectors, combined, in places, with high levels of habitat disruption and
wildlife harvesting represent suitable conditions for potential zoonotic EID (re-)
emergence. Although impossible to predict precisely, we identify numerous potential
threats to tropical peatland conservation and local communities from the COVID-19
pandemic. This includes impacts on public health, with the potential for haze
pollution from peatland fires to increase COVID-19 susceptibility a noted concern;
and on local economies, livelihoods and food security, where impacts will likely
be greater in remote communities with limited/no medical facilities that depend
heavily on external trade. Research, training, education, conservation and restoration
activities are also being affected, particularly those involving physical groupings and
international travel, some of which may result in increased habitat encroachment,
wildlife harvesting or fire, and may therefore precipitate longer-term negative
impacts, including those relating to disease pandemics. We conclude that sustainable
management of tropical peatlands and their wildlife is important for mitigating
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and reducing the potential for future zoonotic
EID emergence and severity, thus strengthening arguments for their conservation
and restoration. To support this, we list seven specific recommendations relating to
sustainable management of tropical peatlands in the context of COVID-19/disease
pandemics, plus mitigating the current impacts of COVID-19 and reducing potential
future zoonotic EID risk in these localities. Our discussion and many of the issues
raised should also be relevant for non-tropical peatland areas and in relation to other
(pandemic-related) sudden socio-economic shocks that may occur in future.
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