EFFECTS of FOREST GAP SIZE on TREE SPECIES DIVERSITY in LOGGED-OVER FOREST, BANGI FOREST RESERVE, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

• Published in: Malaysian Forester
• Main Author: Fitri Z.A.; Firdaus A.S.M.; Sobre Z.M.; Murshidi Z.M.; Hazlan N.H.N.; Norafida N.A.N.; Norilani W.I.W.; Latiff A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia 2022
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85124386001&partnerID=40&md5=c7d4a55e97d0f156cd018e68f6a81804

Bangi Forest Reserve is one the remaining fragmented lowland dipterocarp forests in Langat Basin, Selangor. Similar with another forest types in Peninsular Malaysia, gaps usually occur in this forest caused by lighting strikes, windthrows and tree falls. A study was conducted to determine the effects of different forest gap sizes on tree floristic composition in a logged-over forest which is experiencing rapid natural and anthropogenic disturbances due to lack of buffer zone. These disturbances contribute to forest gap created at canopy level. The forest succession and restoration also take major part of the ecosystem dynamics. Five study plots with dimension 20m x 20m each were established. The selection of study plots were made using the assigned Forest Gap Index (FGI) which is a qualitative monitoring tool based on percentage of incident light entering the forest floor and crown openings. Five indicators have been used in FGI based on percentage of crown openness, namely I (0–20%), II (21–40%), III (41–60%), IV (61– 80%) and V (81–100%). Tree inventory was conducted in each plot where all trees ≥ 1cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were recorded. The measurement was made on DBH and coordinates of each tree taken. All individual trees were identified up to species or genus level. The results show that 670 individual trees from 49 families and 181 species were recorded in study area of 0.2 ha. The total number of species varies across the plots; 40 species in plot GA, 75 in plot GB, 39 in plot GC, 59 in plot GD and 90 in plot GE. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the tree species based on the applied FGI and to identify the dominant species. This analysis revealed that similarities between studied plots were due mainly to the successional stage of forest community and gap size doesn’t influence tree composition. Large canopy opening (> 80% in plot GC) gave strong influence on the distribution of pioneer species. © 2022 Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia. All rights reserved.