The INTPREP research program studies natural restoration of tropical peatlands at different scales, from the landscape level down to molecules. The research aims to determine the fundamental ecological drivers of restoration and develop optimal smart restoration approaches for different land cover types. The team consists of scientists from various disciplines who will conduct field experiments, surveys, and lab studies over time. One experiment will use mesocosms to study above and below ground plant-microbe relationships and their role in revegetation. Another will manipulate plant, air, water, and soil conditions to observe impacts on growth. Findings will help develop strategy for effective, sustainable restoration handling across scales.

1. INTPREP
INtegrated Tropical Peatlands REsearch Program
NUS Environmental
Research Institute
Sanjay Swarup
Source : http://aseanpeat.net/

2. i.What fundamental processes drive natural restoration at
different scales?
i.What are the optimum approaches for Smart Restoration
across different land cover types & landscapes?
Research Questions

3. Environmental &
Ecological Drivers
Dynamics &
Functioning of
Revegetation Increased
sustainability
Vegetation Responses
to Manipulations
Surveys Field Experiments Lab-Studies Time
ScaleLandscape Plot Plant Organs Microbes Molecules
Restoration
Handles
Strategy for Smart Restoration

4. NERI INTPREP:
Teams & Skillsets

5. OurTeam
A/P Sanjay Swarup
Dr Aljojsa Hooijer
Prof David Taylor
Dr Massimo Lupascu
Dr Sorain Ramchunder
Lahiru Wijedesa
Ronald Vernimmen
Dr Maija Lampela
Dr Pierre Taillardat
Sigit Sasmito
Dr Aditya Bandla
Dr Rama Kant Dubey
Dr Nur Ashikin Abdul
Hamid
Randi Agusti
Field Management
Dedi Mulyadi
Varian Triantomo
& 10 field workers
Research Technologists
Letisha Fong
Samantha Lin
Ashwin Sudarshan

6. Scales Landscape Plot/Pixel Plant Plant Organs Microbes Molecules
10 km – 20 m 20 m – 5 m 5 m – 10 cm 10 cm – 50 mm um nm
Inland – fluvial connectivity ±
vegetation
Microtopography
Above – Below ground relationships in revegetation
Manipulative experiment 1: Mesocosm/Monolith
Manipulative experiment 2: PAWS (Plant Air Water Soil/Peat Axis)
Multiscalar Imaging surveys
LIDAR
Orthophotos + Digital Globe +
Drones
Ground surveys
Molecular surveys
Studies
Multi-scalar Data
INTPREP Research Framework
Q2 2020 Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q2 2021Q1 2021

7. Root microbes help
plants acquire nutrients
N, P, K, S etc
Adapted from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhizodeposition.png
Plant Growth Promotion
for Revegetation
Tropical Peat Tree Species
Microbes help plants
through growth
hormone production
Manipulative experiment 1: Mesocosm/Monolith
Rhizotron

8. Legend:
Barren
Regrowth
only
Planted
Acacia +
Regrowth
Planted
Natural +
Regrowth
Planted
Natural +
Fertilize +
Regrowth
0.4 m
R4
0.4 m
The mixed peats are deposited
back into each plot.
Make sure the mixing peat
done properly before those
are put back into each plot

9. Legend:
Barren
Regrowth
only
Planted
Acacia +
Regrowth
Planted
Natural +
Regrowth
Planted
Natural +
Fertilize +
Regrowth
Land preparation for experiment by
excavator and manual labor