PEKANBARU, Indonesia, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Conservation experts say destruction of Sumatran forests and peat swamps in Indonesia is producing more greenhouse gases and driving species into extinction.
The World Wildlife Fund study focused on central Sumatra's Riau Province because it is home to vast peatlands estimated to hold Southeast Asia's largest store of carbon. The area holds some of the most critical habitat for Sumatran elephants and tigers, the WWF said. It also has Indonesia's highest deforestation rate.
"This groundbreaking report gives U.S. businesses a roadmap for getting the biggest bang for their buck," said Adam Tomasek, managing director of the Borneo and Sumatra program at the World Wildlife Fund. "An investment in Riau Province would both protect some of the world's largest carbon stores and safeguard endangered tigers, elephants and local communities."
"The loss of Sumatra's carbon-rich forest ecosystems is not just Indonesia's problem -- this affects the environmental health of the entire planet," added Tomasek.
Sumatra's natural forests are home to elephants, tigers, orangutans and rhinos and are the only place on Earth where all four species co-exist.
The full report is available at www.worldwildlife.org
