Tree Communities of a Fragmented Forest in an Oil Palm Plantation

Claudia Lennya, Jana (2023) Tree Communities of a Fragmented Forest in an Oil Palm Plantation. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).

PDF MSc Thesis_Claudia Lennya Anak Jana (18020230).pdf Download (6MB)

Abstract

Forest fragments in oil palm plantations are remnants of the original forest tract of various sizes and shapes after clearing forested lands for crops and roads. Studies on edge effects are important because the current land-use practices will significantly affect future trends of fragmented forests. This study aimed to determine the forest stand structure, tree species composition, and compare the structure and floristics between the forest edge and forest interior of a fragmented forest in an oil palm plantation. Eight transects from the forest edge to the interior were created, and six plots of 20 x 20 m at 20 m intervals were established on each transect. The first three plots from the edge are the sampling plots for the forest edge, and the following three are the samplings plots for the forest interior. Thus, a total of 24 sampling plots each for forest edge and interior were examined for stand structure and species composition. Tree enumeration and species identification were conducted in all sampling plots to all trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 5 cm and above. A total of 59 families consisting of 274 species and 988 stems were recorded in the forest edge; meanwhile, 52 families consisting of 318 species and 1184 stems were recorded in the forest interior for all trees with DBH ≥ 5 cm. The aboveground biomass (AGB) with DBH ≥ 5 cm and DBH ≥ 10 cm in the forest edge were 260 Mg/ha and 249 Mg/ha, respectively. Meanwhile, the AGB in the forest interior with DBH ≥ 5 cm and DBH ≥ 10 cm were 279 Mg/ha and 269 Mg/ha, respectively. Result showed the AGB were lower at the forest edge than at the interior. Species Elateriospermum tapos, genus Shorea, and family Dipterocarpaceae dominated the forest edge and interior. The tree distribution by diameter class showed the inverted-J or reverse-J curve pattern, indicating good regeneration in both forest types. Species diversity and richness were considered high since the Shannon-Wiener index showed 2.25 (forest edge) and 2.28 (forest interior), the Simpson index represented 0.99 at both forest zones, while the Margalef index showed 39.8 and 45.1 at the forest edge and forest interior, respectively. The dispersion of tree species of the Morisita index was unevenly distributed for both forest edge (1.03) and interior (1.04). Floristically, the similarity index between the two forest types is low at 41%. The finding indicated that the forest structure and species composition in the forest fragments regenerate well and represent good forest health.

Actions (For repository members only: login required)

View Item