Natural Laboratory for Peat Restoration
1.    Natural Laboratory Tanjung Leban
In 2021, the Center of Excellence for Peatland and Disaster Studies (PUI-GK) received a grant from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to establish facilities dedicated to knowledge-sharing on peatland restoration (Figure 1). These facilities have since attracted a wide range of visitors, including university students, school groups, government agencies, the Peatland Restoration Agency, and even international researchers interested in learning about effective peatland restoration practices.
Gambar 1. Tanjung Leban Peatland Lab stands as concrete evidence of successful community-based peatland restoration, offering valuable lessons for future initiatives.
2.    Lab. Alam Gambut Meranti
The site initially served as a model peatland restoration demonstration plot, established through the collaboration between the research team of the Center of Excellence for Peatland and Disaster Studies (PUI-GK) and the Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG) in 2017. Since its establishment, the area has been the focus of various action-research activities, including innovative canal-blocking techniques for peatland rewetting, experimental planting of diverse agricultural and forestry commodities, and aquaculture trials adapted to peatland environments. These technical interventions were also complemented by social approaches aimed at fostering community engagement in sustainable peatland restoration.
Beyond its research function, the site has evolved into a living laboratory—widely utilized for field-based learning, academic field courses, and technical training programs organized by various institutions (Figure 4). Its role as a practical platform for science-based peatland restoration drew international attention. From November 13–16, 2018, the site was visited and appreciated by members of the global peatland community (Figure 5). Delegations included representatives from the International Peatland Society (IPS), the Japan Peatland Society (JPS), the United Nations for Disaster Preparedness (UNDP), the Forest Research, Development and Innovation Agency (FORDIA), the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN), and the Indonesian Peatland Society (HGI).
Figure 4 Implementation of training on peat ecosystem management by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry at the UNRI-BRG Natural Laboratory, Lukun Village, Tebing Tinggi Timur District, Meranti Islands Regency
Figure 5 Implementation of the 2nd Tropical Peatland Roundtable, a meeting place for world peat researchers in Batam who conducted a field visit to the Meranti Peatland Lab.
3.    Lab. Alam Gambut Bengkalis.
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Initially, this location was a collaborative research plot between UNRI, Bengkalis Polytechnic, and Yamaguchi University for research related to peat coastal abrasion. Research activities have begun since 2013 using various funding sources, including JSPS Japan, Bilateral Exchange Project DIKTI-JSPS, and Matching Fund, DIKTI. Various research facilities and equipment have been installed during the nearly 11 years of research, so that the equipment can be used by students for practicum activities and research for Final Assignments. Existing equipment includes audio-visual monitoring tools for peat soil movement, groundwater level monitoring tools, real-time AWS (automatic weather stations), sea tide monitoring tools, community-based groundwater level monitoring tools, inclinometers to connect land movement, etc.