Wan Juliana Wan Ahmad

In the earliest stage of development, non-dipterocarp wildlings require specific environmental conditions; they are only able to acclimate to harsher environmental conditions after this stage. As such, the environment acts as a limiting factor of early-stage development in non-dipterocarp shade-tolerant species. We examined the survival rates and growth rates of Heritiera simplicifolia and Scaphium macropodum from the family Malvaceae in the different sets of abiotic conditions. Three abiotic environmental factors medium type, greenhouse technique, and light intensity were varied. The experiment was conducted for six months in an area near Hulu Terengganu Hydroelectric Dam, at the edge of the Tembat Forest Reserve. Height, diameter, leaves numbers, and leaf area was recorded. Our results indicate that the wildlings preferred higher daytime relative humidity and natural air ventilation at night, and they grew more quickly under SN50 (358.74 Photosynthetically Active Radiation; PAR) t...

Sonneratia caseolaris commonly known as mangrove apple or Berembang in the Malay language, is a species of plant in the family Lythraceae. Area of S. caseolaris along Selangor River in Kampung Kuantan has become a natural habitat for a variety of arthropods. This study aimed to identify the species variations in arthropod communities at different selected stations along Selangor River at two different sampling times. Present study was conducted for six consecutive months (August 2010 until January 2011) at 19 selected stations along the Selangor River. Sampling was conducted once per day and night. Sweeping method by using sweep nets were used as the arthropod sampling method. Data analysis was done quantitatively to determine the composition of arthropod community. A total of 7,707 individual arthropods collected belonging to 10 different orders consisting of Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Neuroptera, Orthoptera, Odonata, Lepidoptera, Blattodea, Mantodea and Araneae. A total of ...

Pueraria javanica Benth. is one of the most common leguminous cover crop used in oil palm plantations of Malaysia. A study was conducted to determine the allelopathic potential of this plant, using the aqueous extract, sandwich and dish-pack methods, with the seed and leaf (of P. javanica) on three bioassay weed species namely, Eleusine indica, Cyperus iria and Chromolaena odorata. The aqueous extract experiment was conducted using 0 (control), 16.7, 33.3 and 66.7 g/L of the aqueous leaf and seed extracts while the sandwich method was carried out using 10 and 50 mg of each of the donour plant parts. Meanwhile, the dish-pack method was done using four different distances (41, 58, 82 and 92 mm) away from the donour plant. All experiments were replicated five times using the complete randomized design (CRD). The leaf extract exhibited 100% reduction on the fresh weight of E. indica and C. odorata while the seed extract exhibited 100% reduction on all parameters for E. indica and on the...

1School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. 2School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. 3Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. 4Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Islam Riau, Pekanbaru, 28284 Indonesia.

Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide causes changes in most plant species in terms of physiological and morphological properties. In this study, we elucidate the effects of elevated CO2 and water regimes on two species of shrubs which were Melastoma malabathricum and Clidemia hirta. The factor of water stress was also included whereby for each CO2 treatment, the amount of water was given once or twice daily. The treatment of elevated CO2 was at 800 ppm, where the plants were exposed for two hours daily and ambient CO2 at 400 ppm as the control. The growth of plants was monitored through their height, leaf area and biomass that were recorded fortnightly for six months. The physiological changes were determined via stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate. The results revealed that each species responded differently to the CO2 treatments. The growth parameters of height and leaf area index showed positive responses on elevated CO2 and twice watering for both spe...

Three forest types were recognized at Chini watershed namely inland, seasonal flood and riverine forests. The soil physico-chemical characteristics from the three forest types were investigated to determine the soil properties variation within a landscape scale. Thirty sampling stations were established, represented by fourteen inland, nine stations in seasonal flood forest and seven in riverine forest. In each station, three soil samples were taken at 0-15 cm depth by using an auger. The study showed 71% of the soil in the inland forest was found to be dominated by clay, 44% of the soil in the seasonal flood forest by clay loam and 42% of the soil in the riverine forest was dominated by silty clay. The pH of all three types of forest studied was acidic and insignificantly different. Organic matter content in the study sites was moderate. The mean of electric conductivity (EC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) values in the studied soils were low. Based on ANOVA, there were signifi...

Successfully restoring degraded forest areas depends on seedlings adapting their growth to suit harsh environments. Hence, the requirements for seedlings’ growth need to be addressed before replanting degraded sites. The present study determines the effect of abiotic factors viz. light irradiance (8%, 30%, and 100%), nutrient addition (no fertiliser (NF), NPK, and vermicompost) on the growth performance and photosynthetic capacity of two dipterocarp species seedlings, Shorea leprosula Miq. and Shorea acuminata Dyer. The morphological characteristics assessed for growth performance comprised plant height, stem diameter, leaf count, leaf area, relative chlorophyll concentration, biomass, and root-to-shoot ratio. Li-Cor 6400 and 6800 were used to measure the leaf gas exchange traits, including photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance (gsw), and water-use efficiency (WUE). Our results demonstrated that different levels o...

A study was conducted to investigate the association between tree species composition with soil edaphic factor in Chemerong Recreational Forest, the largest recreational forest in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. Two types of forest were chosen which are riparian forest and inland forest. Four plots with the dimension of 50 m × 20 m each were established with two plots at each forest type with total study site of 0.4 ha. A total of 1158 trees (>1 cm diameter) from 263 species, 125 genus and 50 families were recorded. The higher species number was recorded in the inland forest with 175 species, 103 genus and 45 families compared to riparian plot with 154 species, 109 genera and 39 families. Lijndenia laurina was found to be the important species in the riparian forest with Important Value Index (IVi) of 5.22% while Mangifera caesia at the inland forest with 3.21%. The Shannon-Weiner diversity indexes (H’) was considered high in all two types of forest with 5.04 at the riparian for...

3 Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the level of heavy metals in the plant parts (leaves and fruits) and in the soil of two species of Ficus (F.fistulosaandF.hispida). The samples were collected from four locations (Bangi, Ayer Hitam, Chini and Bera Forest Reserves) inMalaysia.Heavy metals (Pb, Fe, Mn and Zn) were detected using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). In general, the concentrations of heavy metals in the soil and plant parts were detected.Ficusfistulosashowed higher heavy metals concentration of Pb, Zn and Mn at 0.65, 121.15 and 10.75 mg /kg DW of leaves than F.hispida. The results showed that leaves samples had significantly (P<0.05) higher heavy metals compared to fruits in both Ficus species.A high amount of soil Fe were found in urban area Bangi and Ayer Hitamat 3135.42 and 2774.63 mg/kg of leaves. Results showed growing locations effect of the physicochemical properties (pH, organic matter and percentage grain size) in the so...

The United Nation’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030 aims to halt ecosystem degradation to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. In Malaysia, the concept of sustainable forest management (SFM) has been practiced since 1901. In this study, we evaluated the genetic diversity of the native dipterocarp timber tree Shorea acuminata in a rehabilitated area at Kenaboi Forest Reserve (Kenaboi FR). The rehabilitated area was formerly a degraded forest managed with the taungya restoration system for 50 years. All trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) of 5 cm and over were measured, tagged and identified in a one-hectare study plot. A total of 132 inner bark samples were collected for DNA extraction. Four SSR markers (Sle280, Sle392, Sle475 and Sle566) and two EST-SSR markers (SleE07 and SleE16) were used to analyse 95 good-quality DNA samples. Genetic diversity parameters including maternal contribution were determined for 75 samples. The genetic diversity of big...

The purpose of this study is to observe students’ reflection towards the integration of Tawhidic Science at the program “Kem Pandang Alam”, at Tanjung Tuan Wildlife Reserve and several other locations nearby Tanjung Tuan, Teluk Kemang and Si Rusa, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan Malaysia. The respondents of this study were 32 students from tahfiz schools and tahfiz science schools (15 boys and 17 girls). These students were exclusively selected candidates from their respective schools. Data were analysed based on constant comparative analysis. The finding reveals that there were seven themes including greatness of God’s knowledge; nature as the source of knowledge, education and lesson; improvement of faith; self-development, the formation of identity, the increase of awareness, and the closer of social relations. The implication of this study is to expose these students the importance of the integration of Tawhidic Science where science and religion are inseparable from everyday life.

Elevated atmospheric CO2 has significant effects on plant growth depending on the species and the interaction between treatments given. In other words, the impacts vary among species, depending on differences in photosynthetic pathways, intrinsic growth rates and other properties. In this research we studied the effects of increased carbon dioxide concentration and water regimes on a shrub species, Melastoma malabathricum in a shade house at ambient CO2 and open roof greenhouse at elevated CO2. The factor of water stress was also included, in which for each CO2 treatment, the amount of water was given once or twice daily. The treatment of elevated CO2 was at 800 ppm, when the plants were exposed daily from 0900h until 1100h. The plant growth was monitored through their biomass, height and leaf area that were recorded fortnightly for six months. The results showed that the height of M. malabathricum stem in elevated CO2 was significantly higher than those in ambient CO2. Similarly, leaf area in the elevate...

A study on the effect of extract and decomposing rice straw of MR220 CL2, MR253 and MR263 on the germination and seedling growth of Echinochloa crus-galli has been conducted in the laboratory and greenhouse of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Three concentrations of aqueous extract (25, 50 and 100 g L−1) and decomposing rice straw (5, 10 and 15 g 500g−1) were used in the experiment. The experimental design used was the Complete Randomized Design (CRD) to evaluate the allelopathic effect of various concentrations of rice straw on various growth parameters of the test plants. All the experiments were carried out in three replications and conducted twice. Results showed that the rice straw extract of all the varieties showed significant effects on the germination and seedling growth of E. crus-galli. Aqueous extract of MR263 showed the greatest reduction on the germination of E.crus-galli compared to the other varieties at 100 g L−1 concentration (26% as compared to control). As the extract concentration of rice straw increased, the radicle length of E. crus-galli was significantly reduced. The radicle and hypocotyl length of E. crus-galli was significantly inhibited by 82.28% and 41.13% respectively at 100 g L−1 concentration of the aqueous extract of MR263. Decomposing rice straw of all rice varieties inhibited germination and all the growth parameters of the test plants. As the concentration of rice debris increased, the radicle length of the test plant decreased for all treatments. Decomposing rice straw of MR220 CL2 showed the greatest inhibitory effect on the growth of E. crus-galli compared to the other varieties. It inhibited the radicle, hypocotyl, fresh and dry weight of the test plants by 63.29%, 62.61%, 83.68% and 82.49% respectively as compared to the control. Therefore, rice straw of MR220 CL2, MR253 and MR263 showed allelopathic characteristics as they inhibited the germination and various growth parameters of E. crus-galli. However, further studies need to be conducted to determine the mode of action of the allelochemicals involved in rice allelopathy.

A study was conducted to determine the allelopathic potential of leaf and seed of Mucuna bracteata on the growth of E. indica through aqueous extract and debris (incorporated into the soil) experiment. Three concentrations of leaf and seed aqueous extract (16.7, 33.3 and 66.7 g/L) and debris (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 g/500 g soil) of M. bracteata were used in the experiment. Complete randomized design (CRD) with three replications was applied in this experiment which was conducted twice. Results demonstrated that the leaf and seed extracts of M. bracteata exhibited higher suppression effect on the growth and germination of E. indica as the concentration increased. The leaf and seed extracts significantly reduced all measured parameters at all concentrations except for the shoot length and germination of E. indica by seed extract at 16.7 g/L which recorded insignificant reduction by 40.5% and 4% respectively. The leaf and seed debris significantly reduced the root length of E. indica at all treatments. Seed debri...

Abstract : Lianas are very common in tropical rain forests. Unfortunately, our knowledge and understanding of lianas in the primary production forests are very limited and is confined to silvicultural treatments. The present study examined the taxonomic diversity, abundance and distribution of lianas in Berembun Virgin Jungle Reserve, Negeri Sembilan. Four plots of 50m x 50m were established, each plot was divided into 10m x 10m subplots laid out downward perpendicular to the altitudinal gradient. A total of 246 lianas belonging to 23 families, 45 genera and 68 species were identified and listed. The most dominant family was Annonaceae (25%) followed by Leguminosae, Euphorbiaceae, Apocynaceae, Connaraceae, Menispermaceae, Celastraceae, Dilleniaceae and Sterculiaceae. Species-wise Omphalea bracteata (11%) was the most abundant followed by Fibraurea tinctoria, Friesodielsia glauca, Mitrellia kentii, Spatholobus maingayi, S. ferrugineus, Tetracera fagifolia, Byttneria maingayi, Friesodielsia affinis, Millettia sericea, Parameria polyneura, and Pyramidanthe prismatica. Twining-climbing mode represented the dominant group in this study and the majority of lianas were in the smaller diameter class. Key words: Lianas, taxonomic diversity, abundance, distribution, Virgin Jungle Reserve

TexT & images by Wan Juliana W.a., muhamad Razali salam, ehWan ngadi, Faizi zulkiFli, azmil Razak, Mohd-aRRabe'a.b., abdul Ghani hussain, noRhayati ahMad and a. latiff Langkawi Geopark was endorsed as a member of the Global Geopark Network under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in June 2007, and is Malaysia's and Southeast Asia's first established geopark. Geologically, the Langkawi Archipelago possesses the oldest rock formation and the most complete Paleozoic sedimentary rock sequence in Southeast Asia. This has made Langkawi an important site for scientific research. The work that has been done by the Malaysian Geological Heritage Group has highlighted the high heritage value for many of Langkawi's geological and landscape features, which culminated in Langkawi being crowned a Global Geopark. Langkawi is also home to one of the richest mangrove communities in Malaysia. Mangrove forests in Langkawi cover approximately 3,...

This study evaluated the effects of (rural vs urban) forest conditions on the total phenolic content and antioxidants activity of Ficus fistulosa in four locations (Bangi, Ayer Hitam, Chini and Bera Forest Reserves) in Malaysia. Total phenolic content of Ficus leaves and fruits extracts was determined by the Foline-Ciocalteau method and the antioxidant activity of Ficus leaves and fruits was measured by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2, 2-Dipheny-1-picryhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). The TPC and antioxidant activity of F.fistulosa leaves and fruits extracts were significantly (P<0.05) affected by forest types. The highest total phenol content (mg/g) was found in F.fistulosa leaves and fruits, 426.14 and 452.25 respectively in remote forest (Chini Forest Reserves). The FRAP, % DPPH, and ORAC values for different F. fistulosa extracts ranged from251.74 to 321.75 mg /100g DW, 75.49 to 90.54%, and 158.36 to 114.18μmol TE/100g DW respective...

Soil resource availability is often correlated with local-scale variation in tree species distribution in tropical forests (John et al. 2007). At the Pasoh Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia, these studies suggest that species may be competing for nutrients as a limiting resource (Wan ...

The pattern of forest structure changes is crucial to identify the leading ecological processes and future forest composition after disturbance. Hulu Terengganu, Malaysia was subjected to the development of a hydroelectric power plant. After the dam development, three forest habitat types were identified i.e. lowland dipterocarp remnants, secondary and isolated island forests. After one year, all trees were monitored in 39 units of 5 m × 5 m sample plots. In January 2017, forest edge had the highest number of individuals with 134 records from 36 families, 58 genera and 72 species compared to the ridge with 89 individuals (eight families, nine genera and 11 species) and islands recorded 59 individuals (nine families, 15 genera and 20 species). Forest edge also showed the highest density with 6700 ind./ha from 0.02 ha sample plots compared to the ridge (1780 ind./ha) in 0.05 ha and islands (1395 ind./ha) in 0.04 ha. Despite the difference in floral composition, these habitats had the ...

Sejumlah 54 taksa yang diwakili oleh 49 genera dalam 32 famili flora telah direkodkan sepanjang tempoh seminggu tinjauan ini dijalankan. Sebanyak 53 taksa ialah kumpulan angiosperma dan satu spesies pteridofit. Rhizophoraceae merupakan famili yang dominan berdasarkan bilangan spesies iaitu sebanyak lima spesies telah direkodkan. Ini diikuti oleh Leguminosae dengan lima taksa. Sejumlah 16 taksa merupakan bakau eksklusif iaitu 29.6% daripada jumlah spesies yang direkodkan manakala, 35 daripadanya, iaitu 64.8% ialah bakau bukan eksklusif. Selain itu, terdapat tiga spesies Turner (1995).bakau bersekutu yang mewakili sebanyak 5.5%. Hanya dua spesies (1.58%) merupakan spesies tambahan kepada senarai semak yang dilaporkan oleh Japar (1994).