The influence of physical and chemical properties of soil on community structure of tree species in Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve, Selangor

Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve is a hill dipterocarp forest known for its quarrying and timber production, which led to the lack of tree species composition. A study was conducted to determine the relationship between tree communities and edaphic factors. Tree communities and soil sampling were carried out in 14 study plots within 0.7 ha. Trees with a diameter at breast height of 5 cm and above were recorded. The tree communities comprised 25 families, 47 genera and 53 species. Dipterocarpaceae was the most speciose family, with six species. Density wise, the Lauraceae recorded the highest density at 107 individuals per hat species level, Syzygium sp. showed the highest density of 87 individuals per ha. Total basal area (BA) was 36.02 m² ha-¹ in which Dipterocarpaceae contributed the highest value of 8.02 m2 ha-1 Endospermum diadenum showed the highest basal area of 4.51 m² ha-¹ at the species level. Dipterocarpaceae and Syzygium sp. were the most important family and species with an Important Value Index of 13.11% and 8.79%, respectively. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H’), Evenness Index (E) and Margalef Index (DMG) recorded a moderate value of H’ value of 3.41 (Hmax = 3.97), E = 0.57 and DMG of 8.52. The total biomass recorded was 525.20 t/ha in which 455.24 t/ha was contributed by aboveground biomass and 69.96 t/ha from belowground biomass. Sandy loam texture was dominant in 64.29% of the area t Organic matter content ranged from 3.53% to 5.71%, with a pH value of 4.69 ± 0.35. Soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and available nutrients are associated with several tree species as shown by the ordination diagram from Redundancy Analysis (RDA). Overall, the forest is composed of diverse tree communities and moderate species richness, which justifies the conservation of this forest.