Harnessing nature-based solutions in modified tropical peatland to benefit biodiversity

1. Tropical peat-swamp forests are globally significant for both climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation, yet they are among the most threatened ecosystems due to rapid land-use change and weak protection. As global commitments to net-zero and ecosystem restoration expand, nature-based solutions (NbS)—defined as actions that protect, restore and sustainably manage ecosystems to address societal challenges—are increasingly proposed for tropical peatlands. Many peatland NbS schemes integrate conservation and production within multifunctional landscapes to safeguard carbon stocks while supporting biodiversity. However, the biodiversity outcomes of such schemes remain poorly documented.

2. We assessed mammal communities in a large (723,637 ha) proposed NbS landscape in Sumatra that encompasses intact peat-swamp forest, linear forest remnants and Acacia plantations. Using an extensive camera-trap survey (184 locations; 17,132 trap days) and hierarchical multi-species occupancy models, we quantified community occupancy, species richness and functional and phylogenetic diversity. We further evaluated how alternative land-use configurations, representing protection- versus production-focused management, shape biodiversity outcomes relevant to NbS implementation.

3. Intact core forest and linear forest remnants supported high mammal occupancy and richness, while functional and phylogenetic diversity varied little among land-cover types. Species were more strongly associated with environmental features, such as high-biomass forest, interior areas and proximity to water than with direct human pressures.

4. The core forest area targeted for NbS designation emerged as especially important for biodiversity, and its protection delivered the greatest gains in projected mammal occupancy and diversity. In contrast, scenarios of reduced protection and increased development resulted in sharp declines, particularly among disturbance-sensitive threatened species.

5. Synthesis and applications. Our findings demonstrate that well-designed protection–production NbS schemes in tropical peat swamps can deliver joint climate and biodiversity benefits, provided that governance safeguards core forests while improving habitat quality in production zones. Maintaining landscape configurations that promote connectivity and ecological function will be key to sustaining biodiversity alongside carbon storage. Conservation priorities should therefore emphasise strict protection of core forests, complemented by wildlife-friendly practices within and around plantations. These insights strengthen the evidence base for NbS implementation in working landscapes, highlighting the need for long-term biodiversity monitoring to guide adaptive management in tropical peatlands.