Species composition and diversity of understorey vegetation at Pelagat Forest Reserve, Besut, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia

Authors

  • Nik Hazlan Nik Hashim School of Wood Industry, Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak, Jengka, Pahang
  • Ahmad Fitri Zohari Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor
  • Khairunnisaa Abd Rasid No. 14 Lorong TJI 29, Taman Jengka Indah, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak, Jengka, Pahang
  • Nur Hannani Abdul Latif School of Wood Industry, Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak, Jengka, Pahang
  • Ahmad Fauzi Awang School of Wood Industry, Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak, Jengka, Pahang
  • Junaiza Ahmad Zaki School of Wood Industry, Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak, Jengka, Pahang
  • Norashikin Kamarudin School of Wood Industry, Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak, Jengka, Pahang
  • Amran Shafie School of Wood Industry, Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak, Jengka, Pahang
  • Abdul Latiff Mohamad Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bioenv.v3i3.120

Keywords:

Floristic composition , understorey vegetation , saplings , seedlings , diversity , Pelagat Forest Reserve

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the species composition and diversity of understorey vegetation in the Pelagat Forest Reserve, Besut, Terengganu. A total of 10 quadrats, each measuring 2 m × 2 m (0.004 ha), were established to assess seedlings with heights ≥ 15 cm up to 1.5 m, and quadrats of 5 m × 5 m (0.025 ha) were set up to assess saplings with a diameter at breast height (DBH) < 5 cm but with a height ≥ 1.5 m. The results showed that a total of 116 individual trees were identified, consisting of 49 individuals belonging to 20 families, 29 genera, and 33 species for the seedling category, while 67 individuals comprising 26 families, 43 genera, and 51 species were recorded for the sapling category. The total density of seedlings and saplings was 12,225 individuals/ha and 2,680 individuals/ha, respectively, with Myrsinaceae contributing the highest seedling family density at 2,250 individuals/ha, while Rubiaceae contributed the highest sapling family density at 440 individuals/ha. At the species level, Ardisia sp. 1 recorded the highest seedling density with 1,750 individuals/ha, while Pentace curtisii, Rubroshorea ovalis, and Saprosma glomerulata were the highest contributors to sapling density, with 120 individuals/ha each. The Shannon Index (H) values were 3.30 and 3.85 for seedlings and saplings, respectively, while the Shannon Evenness Index (E) values were 0.94 and 0.98 for seedlings and saplings, respectively. The Margalef Richness Index (DMG) values were 8.22 and 11.89 for seedlings and saplings, respectively. A total of eight species endemic to Peninsular Malaysia were recorded in this study, comprising eight families, eight genera, and 10 individuals.

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Published

2025-10-28

How to Cite

Nik Hashim, N. H., Zohari, A. F., Abd Rasid, K., Abdul Latif, N. H. ., Awang, A. F., Ahmad Zaki, J., Kamarudin, N. ., Shafie, A., & Mohamad, A. L. (2025). Species composition and diversity of understorey vegetation at Pelagat Forest Reserve, Besut, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. Bioresources and Environment, 3(3), 93–106. https://doi.org/10.24191/bioenv.v3i3.120

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 3 (2025): Bioresources and Environment

Section

Environmental Sciences

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Copyright (c) 2025 Nik Hazlan Nik Hashim, Ahmad Fitri Zohari, Khairunnisaa Abd Rasid, Nur Hannani Abdul Latif, Ahmad Fauzi Awang, Junaiza Ahmad Zaki, Norashikin Kamarudin, Amran Shafie, Abdul Latiff Mohamad

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