structural characteristics of a regrowth forest … characteristics of a regrowth...

STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A REGROWTH FOREST STAND

DAYANG NUR AINNAYANA BINTI ABANG BOHARI

Bachelor of Science with Honours

(Plant Resource Science and Management)

2015

STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A REGROWTH FOREST STAND

Dayang Nur Ainnayana Binti Abang Bohari

(34797)

This thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement of the degree

Bachelor of Science with Honours (Plant Resource Science and Management)

Department of Plant Science and Environmental Ecology

Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

2015

Approval Sheet

Name of candidate : Dayang Nur Ainnayana Binti Abang Bohari

Title of thesis : Structural Characteristics of a Regrowth Forest Stand

___________________________

(Prof. Dr Ismail bin Jusoh)

Supervisor

Plant Resource Science and Management Programme



Date:

___________________________

(Dr Rebicca Edward @ May)

Coordinator




Date:

Declaration

I declare that no portion of this research work has been submitted to support the

application of other degree or qualification at any other universities or institutions of

higher learning.

(Dayang Nur Ainnayana binti Abang Bohari)


Department of Environmental Science and Ecology



Date:

i

Acknowledgement

All the praises and thanks to Allah S.W.T for protection and the ability for me to do

work. I would never be able to finish my research without His guidance and blessings.

The completion of this project reflects the concerted efforts of many people to

whom I would like to express my deepest appreciation. First, I would like to offer my

sincerest gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Ismail bin Jusoh, for his excellent guidance,

caring, patience, and providing me with an excellent atmosphere for doing research. I

would also like to thank Encik Sekudan, Encik Rizan and Encik Salim for their assistance

to collect and identifying data.

A special thank to my parents, Abang Bohari Abang Johari and Faridah Hussaini

who always encouraged me and prayed for me throughout the time of my research. I would

also like to thank to my sister, Dayang Nur Ainnayati for her encouragement and help in

computing works. Lastly, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all whom in one

way or another contributed in the completion of this thesis. I would never have been able

to finish my research without the guidance of lecturers, help from friends, and support

from my lovely family.

May Allah S.W.T richly bless all of you.

Dayang Nur Ainnayana Abang Bohari

2015

ii

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement i

Table of contents ii

List of abbreviations iv

List of tables v

List of figures vi

List of appendices vii

Abstract viii

CHAPTER 1 GENERAL BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Objectives 3

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 History of Kubah National Park 4

2.2 Introduction to Kubah National Park 5

2.3 Vegetation of Kubah National Park 6

2.4 Regrowth forest 7

2.5 Species composition of regrowth forest 8

CHAPTER 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study site 9

3.2 Sampling method 10

3.3 Data collection 10

3.4 Data analysis

3.4.1 Tree density 12

3.4.2 Basal area 12

3.4.3 Species composition 13

3.4.4 Species richness 13

3.4.5 Shannon diversity index 14

3.4.6 Species evenness 14

3.4.7 Simpson diversity index 15

3.4.8 Jaccard’s coefficient index 15

3.4.9 Morisita index 16

CHAPTER 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Floristic composition

4.1.1 Tree composition 17

iii

4.1.2 Family composition 19

4.1.3 Genus composition 21

4.1.4 Species composition 22

4.1.5 Species diversity 27

4.2 Diameter class

4.2.1 Diameter class composition 29

4.2.2 Diameter class relative basal area 34

4.2.3 Diameter class diversity 35

4.3 Spatial distribution 37

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION 39

References 40

Appendices 43

iv

List of Abbreviations

Ba Basal area

D Simpson diversity index

DBH Diameter at breast height

DMG Margalef index

H’ Shannon index

IV Importance value

KNP Kubah Ntaional Park

MDF Mixed dipterocarp forest

MWC Matang Wildlife Centre

Rf Relative frequency

v

List of Tables

Table Title Page

1 Top ten family-wise composition of tree species in 1-ha plot of MWC

in KNP

19

2 Top ten genera composition of tree species in 1-ha plot of MWC in

KNP

21

3 Top ten tree species with high relative density in 1-ha plot of MWC in

KNP

23

4 Ten tree species with high relative frequency in the 1-ha plot of MWC

in KNP

24

5 Top ten basal area of tree species in 1-ha plot of MWC in KNP 25

6 Top five dominant species in 1-ha plot of MWC in KNP 26

7 Diversity indices of 1-ha plot of MWC in KNP 27

8 Number of families, genera and species according to diameter class 29

9 Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity between diameter classes 31

10 Top three family within each diameter class 33

11 Basal area of trees in 1-ha plot of MWC in KNP according to diameter

class

34

12 Diversity indices of 1-ha plot according to diameter class 35

vi

List of Figures

Figure Title Page

1 Aerial map of Matang Wildlife Centre, Kuching 9

2 25 plots of 20 x 20 m 10

3 Measuring the DBH of trees 11

4 Red tape used to mark the measurement of the plot 11

5 Percentage of top ten individual species based on different family

in 1-ha plot of MWC in KNP

20

vii

List of Appendices

Appendix Title Page

A Tree species with DBH ≥5.0 cm in 1-ha plot of MWC in KNP 43

B Family-wise composition of tree species in 1-ha plot of MWC in KNP 59

C Genus composition of tree species in 1-ha plot of MWC in KNP 61

D Importance value of tree species in 1-ha plot of MWC in KNP 64

viii

Structural Characteristics of a Regrowth Forest Stand

Dayang Nur Ainnayana Binti Abang Bohari


Faculty of Science and Technology


Abstract

Trees symbolize the phase of plant life cycle and their existence can be reflecting the upcoming forest

regeneration. This study was conducted to determine the status of regrowth forest stand, composition and

diversity of trees in Matang Wildlife Centre at Kubah National Park. The study plots were set out to one

hectare and all trees that have 5 cm and above in diameter breast height were measured. Species composition,

diversity indices and spatial distribution were computed. A total of 1350 trees at 5 cm diameter at breast

height (DBH) and above were recorded in the 1-ha plot. In terms of number of stems, the commonest family is Dipterocarpaceae which comprised of 27% of the total trees recorded followed by Myrtaceae (12.4%),

Myristicaeae (4.9%), Burseraceae (4.7%) and Lauraceae (4.2%). The most dominant species in terms of

importance value (IV) was Syzygium havilandii with the highest IV at 5.8, followed by Hopea

dryobalanoides (3.2), Shorea macroptera (2.5), Santiria tomentosa (2.3) and Shorea parvifolia (1.9).

Diversity indices indicated high tree species diversity. Spatial distribution of species is random as indicated

by Morisita’s Index. Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity analyses indicated low species similarity among

diameter class. Floristic composition of the regrowth forest shows close resemblance to ‘original primary’

forest.

Keywords: Diversity indices, floristic composition, Kubah National Park, Matang Wildlife Centre, regrowth

forest, spatial distribution, species composition, trees

ABSTRAK

Pokok melambangkan fasa kitaran hidup tumbuhan dan kewujudan mereka boleh mencerminkan

pertumbuhan semula hutan yang akan datang. Kajian ini dijalankan untuk menentukan status pendirian hutan pertumbuhan semula, komposisi dan kepelbagaian pokok di Pusat Hidupan Liar Matang di Taman

Negara Kubah. Plot kajian telah ditetapkan seluas satu hektar dan semua pokok yang mempunyai 5 cm

ketinggian diameter pada paras dada dan ke atas telah diukur. Komposisi spesies, indeks kepelbagaian dan

taburan spatial dikira. Sebanyak 1350 pokok yang mempunyai 5 cm diameter pada paras dada (DBH) dan

ke atas telah direkodkan dalam 1-ha plot. Dari segi bilangan pokok, famili yang banyak terdapat dalam

kawasan plot ialah Dipterocarpaceae yang terdiri daripada 27% daripada jumlah pokok yang telah

dicatatkan diikuti oleh Myrtaceae (12.4%), Myristicaeae (4. telah9%), Burseraceae (4.7%) dan Lauraceae

(4.2%). Spesies yang paling dominan dari segi nilai kepentingan (IV) adalah Syzygium havilandii dengan IV

tertinggi pada 5.8, diikuti oleh Hopea dryobalanoides (3.2), Shorea macroptera (2.5), Santiria tomentosa

(2.3) dan Shorea parvifolia (1,9). Indeks kepelbagaian menunjukkan kepelbagaian spesies pokok yang tinggi.

Berdasarkan Indeks Morisita, taburan ruang spesies adalah rawak. Analisis pekali keserupaan Jaccard

menunjukkan persamaan spesies yang rendah dalam kalangan kelas diameter. Komposisi flora hutan pertumbuhan semula ini mirip dengan keadaannya yang asal.

Kata Kunci: Hutan pertumbuhan semula, indeks kepelbagaian, komposisi flora, komposisi spesies,

pengedaran ruang, pokok, Pusat Hidupan Liar Matang, Taman Negara Kubah

1

CHAPTER 1

GENERAL BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction

Malaysia is one of the mega diversity countries in the world. In term of the number

of species, Malaysia is among the world’s biodiversity-rich countries. The estimate number

of flowering plants is about 12, 000 species and that for the non-flowering plants is not

available.

Like any other developing countries, Malaysia is undergoing tremendous rate of

socio-economic development. Sarawak is one of the states in Malaysia that was gifted with

abundant natural resources like other countries in the world. Among these resources

includes the forests that is rich with flora and fauna. Sarawak possess various types of

forest occupying different geographical regions such as mixed dipterocarp, heath,

mangrove, alluvial, beach, montane and also man-made forest. The dipterocarp forest that

occupies most of the forest ecosystem in Sarawak is the main source of commercial

timbers.

At the current growth rate, Malaysia has transformed million hectares of forests

into logging area, agricultural lands, sites for new township, infrastructures and industrial

estates. The continuing habitat transformation has caused a large amount of biodiversity to

be sacrifice. It is an irony that most of the biodiversity is still not known but most of if is

constantly being removed from the habitat.

Limited information is available on the structural characteristics of forest following

logging. This study was conducted in a regrowth forest of Kubah National Park (KNP)

approximately 22 kilometres from Kuching. The Kubah National Park forest is a place that

was known to have various kinds of plant families. The variations in topography and

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geology are considered to have significantly contributed to the floral richness and high

diversity. Previously, logging activities was conducted at this area and it was stopped in

the 60’s. Due to its richness in flora and fauna, the forest was allowed to regenerate.

Many studies have been conducted on the floristic and structure of trees in the

tropical forest of Malaysia and Borneo Island (Adam & Ibrahim 1992; Faridah-Hanum

1999; Faridah-Hanum et al. 2008; Ipor et al. 1999; Kartawinata et al. 1981; Nizam et al.

2006; Proctor et al. 1983; Soepadmo 1987; Sukardjo et al. 1990; Yamakura et al. 1986).

However, there is still limited information available on the structural characteristics such

as species composition and distribution of regrowth forests in Sarawak. This study was

conducted in order to determine the composition and diversity of trees in regrowth forests

after logging activities approximately 50 years ago in KNP.

3

1.2 Objectives

This study aims to examine the structural characteristics of regrowth forest in terms

of species composition and distribution.

The specific objectives of this study are:

1) To determine tree species composition and community structure of regrowth forest

stand in the lowland mixed dipterocarp forest of Matang Wildlife Centre.

2) To examine different indices in terms of diameter class in the lowland mixed

dipterocarp forest of Matang Wildlife Centre

4

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 History of Kubah National Park

Kubah National Park is one of the National Park located in Sarawak and it is

Sarawak’s seventh constituted National Park. Although at approximately 2,230 ha it is

Sarawak’s smallest constituted National Park to date, the Park is very important both from

the botanical point of view and for pragmatic reasons.

The National Park at Matang was originally proposed in 1971. Even though the

intention of establishing the park was declared in 1973, its establishment was approved in

the same year and a preliminary proclamation gazette the following year the park was not

legally established until 15 years later which was on May 1988. The delay was due to the

efforts were being made to obtain the park the Ulu Sg. Rayu part of the Matang Water

Catchment Area, a triangle of land to the east of the park bounded by the road to the

summit of Gunung Serapi. These were finally successful in 1988, but not in time for this

portion to be included in the park. In 1980, the proposed park boundary had been marked

and in 1985, by a decision of the State Legislative Assembly, the name of the proposed

park was changed to Kubah National Park (Pearce, 1992).

In 1987, approval was given for the development of a Wildlife Centre in KNP. This

centre was build for the rehabilitation of protected animals and birds confiscated from the

public, and will include other local animals and birds as a tourist attraction. The centre

promotes conservation education and nature study and serves as a recreational facility.

5

2.2 Introduction to Kubah National Park

The lowland forest of KNP is one of the most complexes, dense and species-rich

forests. It has great value for wildlife conservation and scientific research. The term

tropical lowland forest is used to describe forest where there is little or no seasonal water

shortage and where the climate is continuously warm and humid (humidity can reach

100% at night).

Based on a study conducted by Pearce (1992) at KNP, it shows that the park covers

a broad altitudinal range, which is from less than 20 m asl to 777 m asl. However, except

for lowlying areas (<33 m) in the west and southwest, most of the park is hilly. The south

and southeast of the park comprise a hilly dissected area rising to 777 m in the southeast

and 716 m in the south but not including the summit of Gunung Serapi to the southeast, or

Gunung Bawang and Gunung Matang to the east. The topography of the area largely

corresponds to its geology with the sedimentary terrain being heavily separated and the

areas of old alluvium-forming lowlands. The elongated dacite sill in the southeast of the

Park forms a part of the scarp ridge, while other igneous intrusions just outside the Park

boundary correspond with mountains.

The tree canopy of a lowland forest has three layers. The upper layer towers at

between 30 to 40 m, with occasional giants of 60 m, while the second layer is between 23

to 30 m. The lower level is made up of trees of a number of species. Specific combinations

of light intensity, temperature, wind turbulence, and exposures to precipitation further

determine where the tree species occur within generally accommodating forest canopies

(Rhoades, 1995).

Trees of the family Dipterocarpaceae dominate this forest, which is an important

source of timber. Lowland and hill dipterocarp forests in Peninsular Malaysia show a

sequential gradation of forest species in accordance to altitude. This forest is considered to

6

be amongst the most rich species terrestrial ecosystems in the world.

2.3 Vegetation of Kubah National Park

The park comprises largely undisturbed natural forest. Most of the park is covered

by mixed dipterocarp forest (MDF), which is high MDF and kerangas at higher elevations,

and some lowland MDF above 700 m. There are small areas of alluvial forest in the valley

of the Sungai Rayu.

From the Whitmore’s forest classification (1975), dipterocarp forest is well

represented in the Park on red-yellow podzolic soils. Shrub and secondary forest of MDF

is gradually growing up where the natural forest had been removed from past logging

activities (Hazebroek & Abang Kashim, 2000).

Alluvial forest was formerly widespread in Sarawak but most of it has been cleared

for cultivation. The park has some fine undisturbed examples developed mainly on

alluvium, and inundated for a few days at the wettest times of the year. This forest type and

the next are facies of tropical lowland evergreen rain forest, which includes the most

luxuriant of all plant communities and probably has the greatest number of species of any

rain forest formation.

Heath forest is often called by its Iban name of kerangas. It occurs on soils derived

from siliceous parent materials that are low in bases and coarse textured. Kerangas forest is

developed on slopes formed by sandstone bedding surfaces, mainly on the western flanks

of Gunung Serapi and its northwest ridge. This forest has several distinctive characters:

many trees with small, hard, glossy leaves; abundant bryophytes on the ground and many

insectivorous plants. Forests of this type occur in many places in the Far East (except East

Malesia) but are more extensive in Borneo than elsewhere and are associated with the

formation of podzols or bleached sands. Brunig (1974) has provided a detailed monograph

7

and classification of heath forests of Sarawak and Brunei.

2.4 Regrowth forest

Regrowth forest is a forest that has had many of its mature trees cleared or cut and

felled for timber. Any large gaps in the forest canopy that was caused by logging may

allow the regrowth of certain understory species such as creepers, which can smother

young trees. These same gaps will also allow the invasion of potentially destructive weed

species and greater susceptibility to fire and disease.

Therefore, regrowth forests are often places where there has been a species-shift

towards an unnatural dominance of any one or several species, particularly in a situation

where the species-shift creates a forest type that is antagonistic to the primary forest that

most closely resembles the nearest 'best example reference-site' due to human intervention.

Regrowth forests may contain scattered individuals or small occurrences of ecologically

mature or old growth tree.

Average basal area and stem density in the regenerating forest that had been

selectively logged 41 years earlier had recovered to levels similar to those in the primary

forest; however, the regenerating forest had a more monotonic canopy structure comprised

of medium-sized trees growing at high density (Okuda et al., 2003). The findings also

indicated that structural development would take a long time to manifest in a regenerating

forest as a result of the time taken for the development of emergent and canopy trees and

the formation of gaps. The structural development might also be delayed by the high

density of medium-sized trees in the canopy layer.

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2.5 Species composition of regrowth forest

The ground vegetation is often sparse and comprises mainly small trees and herbs.

The lowlands of Borneo are home to the richest biodiversity rainforest in the world.

Biodiversity is essential for human survival and economic well being and for the

ecosystem function and stability (Singh, 2002). The climate provides an ideal growing

environment for approximately 10,000 species of plant. Among these are some

2,000 orchids and 3,000 trees, including 267 dipterocarp tropical rainforest trees, of which

155 are endemic to Borneo. This makes the island the centre of the world's diversity for

dipterocarps. Plants include five species of the strong-smelling parasite Rafflesia, one of

which, Rafflesia arnoldii has flowers over a metre wide, making it the world's largest

flower. The limestone uplands of the Sangkulirang Peninsula and Sarawak support their

own particular plant communities, as do the Labi Hills on the Brunei-Sarawak border.

A study conducted by Okuda et al., (2003) at two forests southeast of Kuala

Lumpur shows that the stand structure, species composition and basal area of the major

species are low. They also observed that the forest structure had not completely recovered

from the changes or begun to resemble the primary forest even after 41 years of logging. In

contrast, Pélissier et al., (1998) had studied the impacts of selective logging, 10-15 years

after harvest on the dynamics of moist evergreen forest in India. They reported that the

species composition was not greatly altered and that growing stocks (density and basal

area) will gradually recover to become similar to that unlogged forest.

9

CHAPTER 3

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study site

The study area was located in Matang Wildlife Centre (MWC) within the KNP

(Figure 1). The site is located 20 kilometres from Kuching and one of the most accessible

national parks (1° 36' 45.9"N, 110° 11' 49.2"E). The MWC is a protected area that was

gazetted in 1988 and covers 2,230 hectares of area. KNP is a partially undisturbed natural

forest that situated on a small sandstone plateau that includes Mount Selang, Mount

Sendok and Mount Serapi. It consists of mainly five main vegetation types of forest such

as lowland mixed dipterocarp forest, kerangas forest, alluvial forest, submontane forest and

high mixed dipterocarp forest. The climate throughout the year is warm and humid

throughout the year.

Figure 1: Aerial map of Matang Wildlife Centre, Kuching

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3.2 Sampling method

The plot size of 1 hectare (100 x 100 m) was established as shown in Figure 2. The

one-hectare plot was further divided into 25 plots of 20 x 20 m. In every 20 x 20 m plots,

all trees that have 5 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) and above were identified,

measured and recorded in terms of species, DBH and height.

Figure 2: 25 plots of 20 x 20 m

3.3 Data collection

All trees with a DBH of 5 cm or more or if buttresses present, about 30 cm above

buttresses were measured in all 25 subplots (Figure 3). The position where the

measurement was made was marked by red tag (Figure 4). Preliminary tree identification

was made in the field, but detailed identification was made later. All the specimens were

important for identifying the total number of species, even if the plants were not fully

identified to species level e.g. Archidendron sp..

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Figure 3: Measuring the DBH of trees.

Figure 4: Red tape used to mark the measurement of the plot

12

3.4 Data analysis

3.4.1 Tree density

Frequency of trees is generally reported as number of trees found per hectare. It

was calculated based on the data collected from the study site by using the formula:

Trees frequency ha-1

= ∑ Tree × 10000

Total area sampled

3.4.2 Basal area

Basal area (Ba) is the common term used to describe the average amount of an area

occupied by tree stems. It is defined as the total cross-sectional area of all stems in a stand

measured at breast height. The basal area were calculated by using the following formula:

BA = 0.00007854 D2 (m

2)

Where, BA = basal area (m2)

D = diameter of breast height (cm)

Calculation of basal area per ha (m2/ha) for each tree:

Basal area per hectare (m2/ha) =

∑ BA × 10000

Total area sampled

Relative basal area = Basal area

Total basal area of all species

structural characteristics of a regrowth forest … characteristics of a regrowth...

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