Journal of Bamboo and Rattan
KSCSTE-KFRI

Species diversity and abundance of rattan in offshore hill reserve forest of peninsular Malaysia along the elevation gradient

Authors

  • Wan Nur Fasihah Zarifah Binti Wan Rozali

    Author

  • Kazi Mohammad Masum

    Author

  • Rahmad Zakaria

    Author

  • Asyraf Mansor

    Author

  • Ahmad Sofiman Othman

    Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55899/

Keywords:

Elevation, Penang Hill Reserve, dominance, evenness, richness

Abstract

Elevation act as determinant of variation in species diversity, especially for the rattan palms which have become one of the most important non-wood forest produce.  This study examines the species abundance, composition and species diversity of rattan along an altitudinal gradient in the offshore Penang Hill Reserve Forest of peninsular Malaysia. A total number of 1721 individuals under 10 species representing 4 genera of rattan were recorded in Penang Hill Reserve. High elevation recorded the highest abundance of individuals (966) comprising all ten species with the highest Margalef index value (R1= 1.309) and least evenness (e^H/S=0.4919).  High diversity of rattan species (value of Shannon, H'=1.749), greater species evenness (e^H/S=0.7184) and the highest Menhinicks index value (R2= 0.3694) was observed in middle elevation. Low elevation recorded the lowest species richness (R1=0.5304, R2= 0.2365) but the highest dominance value (D=0.4306). Anthropogenic disturbances hamper the habitat of rattan in the lower elevation, near the periphery of this reserve on a continuous basis.

Author Biographies

  • Wan Nur Fasihah Zarifah Binti Wan Rozali

    School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang-11800, Malaysia.

  • Kazi Mohammad Masum

    Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology,   
    Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh.

  • Rahmad Zakaria

    School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang-11800, Malaysia.

  • Asyraf Mansor

    School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang-11800, Malaysia.

  • Ahmad Sofiman Othman

    School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang-11800, Malaysia.

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Published

07-11-2014

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Vol. 13 (2014): Issue 1 & 2

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Articles

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How to Cite

Species diversity and abundance of rattan in offshore hill reserve forest of peninsular Malaysia along the elevation gradient. (2014). Journal of Bamboo and Rattan, 13(1 & 2), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.55899/