Altitudinal analyses of dipterocarps of limestone vegetation in Sarawak
2006
Julaihi Abdullah
The study on floristic composition, total above ground biomass and species dominance of trees with d.b.h. ≥ 5 cm was conducted at 100 m intervals from 130 m to 1130 m a.s.l. at Gunung Api, Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia. A total of 1103 trees with d.b.h. ≥ 5 cm were enumerated in an accumulative area of 1.04 ha, belonging to 195 species from 108 genera and 45 families. The mean density of trees with d.b.h.≥ 5 cm is 940 trees ha-1 with a total above ground biomass of 264 ton ha-¹ , basal area (BA) of 31.37 m2 ha-¹ and leaf area index (LAI) of 3.93 ha ha-¹. Within all studied plots, Euphorbiaceae has the most number of trees recorded followed by Dipterocarpaceae and Myrtaceae. 12.51% of the trees are dipterocarps which are common from 130 m to 730 m a.s.l.. Hopea andersonii is the most dominant tree species with importance value (IV) of 20.49, relative density (Rd) of 5.17, relative frequency (Rf) of 4.28 and relative basal coverage (RD) of 11.05. Dipterocarps contributed 36.20% of TAGB, 29.99% of BA and 27.66% of LAI. The endemic species of dipterocarps in limestone forest will be discussed. Results of the study show that limestone forest of Gunung Api is indeed very rich in species especially dipterocarps and many species are confined to limestone habitats. Conservation status of the limestone flora in general and dipterocaps species recorded will be presented. The result of the study will contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of the dipterocarps in Sarawak.
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