of intensive rice growing areas were taken out of active production due to a water shortage (van Beukering et al. 2003).

Regulation of floods and landslides In addition to water and climate regulation, forests could play a role in preventing landslides and flooding, although the role of for- ests for flood control remains an issue of constant scientific debate (Bradshaw et al. 2007; van Dijk et al. 2009). Deforestation in Aceh

“We have already felt for ourselves the consequences of environmental damage, such as landslides, floods, forest fires and so on. We must

encourage a form development that is environmentally friendly.” (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Indonesia)

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has been argued to lead to an increase in floods and landslides over the past three years (Sea Defence Consultants 2009; Serambi 2010a). A large number of floods also occur in the area. From January to September 2010 up to 185 floods occurred in the prov- ince of Aceh (Serambi 2010a). Te severity of floods in this region can be illustrated by recent floods in Aceh Tamiang (2006) where muddy flood water washed over farmlands, villages and roads. In total, 69 people died, 10,323 houses were severely damaged and 367,752 people were displaced from their homes (BBC 2003). In another flood event in December 2000, the lives of at least 50 peo- ple in Aceh and North Sumatra were lost and 583,000 people were left homeless in Aceh alone. Tis cost the Aceh province almost USD 90 million (Jakarta Post 2000).