Nizam R et al. / Journal of Science / Vol 5 / Issue 11 / 2015 / 1016-1023.

e ISSN 2277 - 3290 Print ISSN 2277 - 3282 Journal of Science Environment

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FLORISTIC, DIVERSITY AND STRUCTURE OF TREE COMMUNITIES IN THREE DISTINCT FOREST HABITATS OF PERLIS STATE PARK, PERLIS, PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Zakaria R1, Nizam MS1,2* & Faridah-Hanum I3

1School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, , Malaysia. 2Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. 3Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

ABSTRACT A study was conducted in a semi-deciduous forest at the Perlis State Park, Perlis, Peninsular Malaysia, to determine floristic composition, diversity and structure of tree communities in three forest habitats of the State Park. The three habitats are characterized of different geological formations, viz. Setul Formation, Kubang Pasu Formation and Granite. Eight plots (1.92 ha) of 40 m x 60 m each, were established in Setul, six plots (1.44 ha) were set in Kubang Pasu and four plots (0.96 ha) in Granite, totaling a sampling area of 4.32 ha. All trees with diameter of 5 cm and above were enumerated in all the study plots. A total of 4300 trees were recorded that comprised of 412 species, 207 genera and 68 families. was the most speciose family in all three habitats, represented with 36 species at Setul, 12 species at Kubang Pasu and 19 species at Granite. Leguminosae, and Moraceae were the most important families in Setul, Granite and Kubang Pasu habitats, respectively. At species level, Saraca cauliflora (Leguminosae) was the most important species in Setul, while Swintonia floribunda (Anacardiaceae) and Pentaspadon curtisii (Anacardiaceae) were the most important species in respective habitats of Granite and Kubang Pasu. Diversity wise, the Shannon diversity index (H’) showed varied index values where the Setul showed the highest diversity index of 4.60, followed by Granite (H’=4.40) and Kubang Pasu (H’=3.60). Seventy eight tree species were listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with various categories that include critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable. As a whole, the flora of the Perlis State Park is a characteristic of limestone flora of a semi-deciduous forest.

Keywords: limestone flora, Floristic composition, Stand structure, Semi-deciduous.

INTRODUCTION Limestone flora in Peninsular Malaysia is The Perlis State Park (PSP) covers an area of ca. particularly vulnerable because the limestone forests are 5000 ha which is about 56% of the total forest reserves in threatened by various anthropogenic activities such as Perlis, Peninsular Malaysia [1]. The State Park area is quarrying and mining, land clearance for agriculture, mainly characterized by limestone formation hill forests, burning, flooding of hydroelectric dams and damage which is a part of the Nakawan Range that extends into associated with recreation. The situation has become Thailand, where hidden underneath them is a vast number worrying due to the fact that many flora species of caves. The vegetation of the areas is very unique inhabiting this forest type are narrowly endemic, with because it displays strong Thai-Burmese affinities, and over millions of years are needed for the species to adapt furthermore, it is the only forest area in Peninsular to the unique microhabitats of the limestone and evolved Malaysia of semi-deciduous forest where trees shed their with the niches found in the habitats [1, 2]. leaves during the markedly dry season [3].

Corresponding Author:- Nizam MS Email:- [email protected]

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The retention of natural forest cover at the PSP is Tree enumeration and Identification significant and important as a habitat for diverse and All trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) of 5 special species of flora and fauna, and the area also plays cm and above were tagged and measured its diameter at a vital role as an important catchment area for the state of ca. 1.3 m above the ground using diameter tape. Leaves Perlis [3]. Reports on diversity for the state of specimens of all measured trees were collected for Perlis were published as early as 1939 [4], followed by identification. Fruits and flowers, if present, were also various studies by several researchers [3, 5, 6, 7]. collected to help identification. All leaves specimens However, most of the reports were based on general were identified using keys in the Tree Flora of Malaya observations with no study plots being established except [11, 12, 13, 14]. The voucher specimens were deposited a study at the Mata Ayer Virgin Jungle Reserve [8]. in the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Herbarium Although quite a number of flora surveys have been (UKMB). The flora species were also checked with the reported for Perlis, nevertheless continuous IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [15] to determine documentation of the flora data of forest areas is their status under the IUCN. necessary for a better forest management and biodiversity conservation. Data Analyses Geologically, the state of Perlis is recognized to Floristic Diversity and Richness have seven rock formations which include the All identified specimens were tabulated and Machinchang Formation, the Setul Limestone, the summarized into family, genus and species representing Kubang Pasu, the Chuping Formation, Tertiary beds, the floristic composition of the three different forest Quarternary alluvium, and the younger formation of habitats. Species diversity is composed of two Granite body that is located at the northern tip of Perlis components of total number of species and evenness, [9]. In the PSP, the Setul and Kubang Pasu of limestone, which gives an indication of the structure of species and the Granite characterized the State Park [10]. It is distribution of a stand [16]. Diversity index was anticipated that forests on these different geological calculated using the Shannon Diversity Index [17] as, formations would support different tree communities that s ' where H´ is Shannon diversity index; S inhabiting the forest area. H   pi ln pi Hence, the specific objective of this study is to i1 is total number of species in the community; pi is determine the floristic composition, diversity, and forest th structure of tree communities between the three different proportion of individuals or the abundance of the i forest habitats of different geological formations in the species expressed as a proportion of total abundance; and PSP. ln is natural logarithm. The Shannon Diversity Index of different habitats was tested for significance using t-test MATERIAL AND METHODS [18]. Shannon Evenness Index (E’) which shows the Study Location and Plot Establishment degree of uniformity in the distribution of individual The study site is located at the Perlis State Park species over a standardized area is calculated as (PSP), Perlis, Peninsular Malaysia positioned at latitude E'  H ' ln S . Furthermore, species richness which is the of 6 34` to 6 43` N, and longitude of 100 10` to 100 number of species in the community was determined by 13` E (Figure 1). Several plots of 40 m x 60 m each, were calculating richness index of Margalef Richness Index established in different forest habitats of different [19] as: DMG  (S 1) log N , where N is the total geological formations, viz. the Setul Formation, the number of individuals observed. Kubang Pasu Formation and the Granite, of which the Since the number of plots in each forest habitat Setul and Kubang Pasu Formations display of limestone was unequal as mentioned earlier, hence rarefaction characteristics (Figure 2). analysis was conducted using EcoSim software program The plots locations were selected using [20] to produce rarefaction curves. Rarefaction allows systematic selection based on the geological observed richness and diversity between sites being characteristics map of the PSP. Locations were marked compared though sampling efforts are not equal, or on the map prior the fieldwork and the GPS readings of samples differ in the total number of individuals [21]. all plots were recorded. Due to different topography of Similarity index of floristic composition (family the selected locations of the forest habitats, thus several and species) between forest habitats was calculated using plots were selectively established to avoid huge boulders Sorenson’s Index, C [22] as follows: and rocks. As such, number of plots managed to be s 2a , where a is the total number of species established varied between forest habitats; eight plots Cs  (1.92 ha) in the Setul, six plots (1.44 ha) in the Kubang 2a  b  c Pasu, and four plots (0.96 ha) in the Granite, totaling of present in sites 1 and 2; b is the number of species present 18 plots covering survey area of 4.32 ha. in site 1 only; and c is the number of species present in site 2 only.

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Abundance Parameters and [8], and other limestone forest habitats such as in the Abundance parameters of tree species and Kenong Forest Park, Pahang [26], Bau limestone forest, families in the study sites were determined, which include Kuching [27] and karst forests in the Xishuangbanna, density, frequency of occurrence, and tree basal area [23]. China [28]. The euphorbs were also common in other Tree basal area (BA) was calculated as: BA = [ x forest types of Malaysian forests, such as in a lowland (d2)/40000] (unit: m2), where d is the diameter at breast dipterocarp forest at Jengka Forest Reserve, Pahang [29], height and =3.142. Relative Density (Rd), Relative a coastal forest at Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve, Negeri Frequency (Rf), and Relative Dominance (based on Basal Sembilan [30], and in a riparian forest at Chini Forest Area, RD) of each species or family were calculated and Reserve, Pahang [31]. These observations are in summed up prior dividing with three, to give a single accordance with [12] who stated that the Euphorbiaceae is index, namely, Importance Value Index (IVi) [24]. This one of the largest plant families in Malaysia, represented index indicates the most important species or family of with 71 genera and 371 species that include trees, shrubs, the study area, of which the calculation is as follows: herbs and climbers. R  R  R Overall, there were seventy eight tree species in IV  d f D i 3 the study area that were listed under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species of various categories. The categories RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS include critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable. Floristic Composition and Species Diversity Several species were categorized as critically endangered, A total of 4300 trees (≥5 cm dbh) were among them were Alphonsea kingii, Anisoptera curtisii, enumerated in all plots (total 4.32 ha) across the three Dipterocarpus fagineus, Parashorea stellata, Shorea different habitats of semi-deciduous forest in the Perlis henryana, Hopea latifolia, and Shorea guiso; whilst State Park. The enumerated trees comprised of 412 Dipterocarpus costatus, Hopea ferrea and Vatica cinerea species in 207 genera and 68 families. The plots at Setul were categorized as endangered. It is clear that most Formation (1.92 ha) had 1722 trees which contained 57 species under the IUCN category of critically endangered families, 152 genera and 270 species. In Granite plots and endangered were from , of which (0.96 ha), 1245 trees representing 50 families, 130 genera the trees from this family are well known for their high and 204 species were recorded, whilst the Kubang Pasu valuable timbers. Other species were mostly categorized Formation consisted 31 families, 76 genera and 109 as vulnerable, lower risk or least concern. species from 1333 trees enumerated in six plots (total 1.44 The Shannon diversity index (H’), Shannon ha) (Table 1). It is obvious that the Setul plots exhibited evenness index (E) and Margalef index (DMG) values were the most species-rich, compared to those in Granite and the highest in the Setul plots, followed by Granite plots, Kubang Pasu being the most species-poor habitats. Based and the lowest in Kubang Pasu plots, with H’ values in on the rarefaction analysis, the slopes of the rarefaction the respective order were 4.60, 4.40 and 3.60. The curves in all forest habitats declined as sample size diversity index of Kubang Pasu was significantly different increased, but the curves did not approach an asymptote compared to Setul and Granite plots (p<0.05), while the (Figure 3). Nevertheless, it is apparent that very few diversity index between Setul and Granite habitats species would be added to the Kubang Pasu sample showed no significant difference (p>0.05). The Shannon beyond 1,000 individuals inventoried; the curve for this evenness index indicated values of 0.82, 0.83 and 0.76 in habitat type appeared to reach an asymptote. More species Setul, Granite and Kubang Pasu habitats, respectively. would still be added to the Setul and Granite samples if The value of evenness index that is near to 1.00 shows a more individuals were sampled. Confidence intervals high evenness of tree species in the study plots. Based on (CI) for Setul and Granite were seemed overlapped, Margalef’s diversity index (DMG), Setul, Granite and indicating that species richness in the Setul and Granite Kubang Pasu had DMG values of 36.10, 28.48 and 15.01, habitats were not different significantly; however, the respectively, and this exhibited that the Setul habitat had species richness in Kubang Pasu was significantly the highest richness among the three habitats, followed by different compared to the Setul and Granite habitats. The Granite and Kubang Pasu at the lowest richness. The rarefaction analysis confirmed that although the sampling Sorenson similarity index revealed high similarities at efforts between habitats were unequal, nevertheless the family level between the three habitats, with percentage species richness was of the same trend with the actual of similarity of more than 65% (Table 3). However, the observation in the survey plots. Euphorbiaceae was the lowest similarity of species composition was displayed most speciose family at the PSP with total 47 species between habitats with percentage of similarity of less than encountered in all plots, of which the Setul, Granite and 40% and the lowest floristic similarity were showed Kubang Pasu habitats were represented with 36 species, between Granite and Kubang Pasu habitats with 31% 19 species and 12 species, respectively (Table 2). The similarity. This result reflects the uniqueness of each commonest of Euphorbiaceae in the habitats was in line forest habitat whereby they support unique flora species with other studies on Perlis’s limestone forests by [25] that mostly occurred in the respective habitats only.

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Stand Structure and Tree Abundance Total tree basal area (BA) in plots at Setul, The forest stand structure displayed by the Granite and Kubang Pasu habitats were estimated at 43.29 distribution of diameter class sizes in the three forest m2/ha, 33.47 m2/ha and 34.50 m2/ha, respectively. habitats showed an inverse J-shape curve where number Leguminosae, Anacardiaceae and Dipterocarpaceae were of trees declined as tree diameter increased (Figure 4). families with the largest BA in the respective habitats, Smaller trees between 5 and 35 cm dbh dominated the with BA contributions of 7.56 m2/ha (17.45%), 7.95 three forest habitats, accounting for 88.4%, 94.4%, and m2/ha (24.5%) and 5.52 m2/ha (16.01%), respectively 93.1% of all trees censused in Setul, Granite and Kubang (Table 5). As for species, Saraca cauliflora, Swintonia Pasu plots, respectively. Only 22 (0.5%) emergent trees in floribunda and scortechinii showed the largest the entire sample reached diameter of ≥95 cm, of which basal area at the respective plots with values of 5.69, 3.65 the trees were mainly from the Setul and Kubang Pasu and 4.80 m2/ha (Table 5). The highest contributions to the plots (Table 2), with the largest tree was Pterospermum total tree BA in the Setul and Kubang Pasu habitats were pectiniforme () of diameter 198.3 cm. The from trees of large diameter sizes (≥100 cm dbh) that inverse J-shape curves of the dbh distribution in the three were low in abundance; however the tree BA of Granite forest habitats are of typical of tropical forests [26, 27] plots was mainly contributed by the smaller trees of dbh and subtropical forest [32] stand structures, and it is class 5.0-34.9 cm that were represented with large number reported as a main feature of matured forest in Peninsular of stems (Figure 5). Malaysia [33]. Previous studies conducted in forests that were In terms of density, plots in the Granite area had characterized by limestone, indicated BA values that were the highest density (1297 trees/ha), followed by Kubang varied between forest habitats. For instance, total BA of a Pasu (926 trees/ha) and Setul (897 trees/ha). limestone forest in Kenong Forest Reserve, Pahang, Dipterocarpaceae was the family with the highest density Malaysia was of 29.23 m2/ha [26], tree BA at Gunung in Granite, represented with 146 trees/ha, whilst Mulu Sarawak of 37.0 m2/ha [35], and in a limestone Moraceae showed the highest density in Setul and forest of South-West China, Xishuangbanna, the BA was Kubang Pasu with 114 trees/ha and 147 trees/ha, of 33.5 m2/ha [28]. The differences in basal area between respectively (Table 4). At species level, Saraca cauliflora forest habitats could be due to differences in size structure (Leguminosae) indicated as having the highest species of trees, species composition, habitat conditions, and density of 89 trees/ha in Setul, followed by Diospyros degree of disturbance and also successional stages of scortechinii () and Pentaspadon curtisii stands [36]. (Anacardiaceae) with 49 trees/ha and 31 trees/ha, Tree importance was determined based on its respectively. In Granite, Memecylon caeraleum importance value index (IVi); the Leguminosae was the (Melastomataceae) had the highest species density of 81 most important tree family in the Setul forest habitat with trees/ha followed by Croton laevifolius (Euphorbiaceae) family IVi of 11.33%, whilst Anacardiaceae and and Hopea ferrea (Dipterocarpaceae) of the second and Moraceae were the most important family in Granite and third highest density with 75 trees/ha and 66 trees/ha, Kubang Pasu with IVi of 13.00% and 10.96%, respectively. As for plots in Kubang Pasu, Pentaspadon respectively. At species level, Saraca cauliflora curtisii (Anacardiaceae), Streblus macrophyllus (IVi=8.03%), Swintonia floribunda (IVi=5.04%) and (Moraceae) and Homalium longifolium (Flacourtiaceae) Pentaspadon curtisii (IVi=8.27%) were the most recorded the three highest species density of 122, 112 and important species in Setul, Granite and Kubang Pasu, 45 trees/ha (Table 4). Comparing with other studies of respectively (Table 8). The importance of Anacardiaceae similar habitats, [8] reported a density of 1171 trees per in Granite plots is a reflection of the large sizes attained hectare in Mata Ayer VJR, Perlis, of which by some species in the family, such as Swintonia Euphorbiaceae and Mallotus oblongifolius showed the floribunda and Dialium indum (Table 2). Furthermore, highest density at family and species level, respectively. the importance of Leguminosae and Moraceae in Moreover, [34] encountered Anacardiaceae as the densest respective plots of Setul and Kubang Pasu, primarily family with Swintonia floribunda (Anacardiaceae) as the reflects the large number of trees that belong to this highest species density at Gunung Matchincang Forest family. As forest habitats are unique between each other, Reserve, Langkawi. In addition, [27] reported that thus different tree families and species are expected to Euphorbiaceae showed the highest density in three become important taxa in those habitats, depending on different elevations in limestone forest at Bau, Kuching, conditions that favour those species in the habitats. A Sarawak, while Mallotus dispar (Euphorbiaceae) limestone species for instance, is expected to be important indicated the highest species density. Different tree in a limestone forest, and this had been observed by [26] families and species that dominate abundance in different where Streblus ilicifolius (Moraceae), a limestone species forest areas reflect the unique characteristics of different described by [37], was the most important species forest habitats that influence the occurrence of trees in occurred in the limestone forest at the Kenong Forest those areas. Reserve, Pahang Malaysia.

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Table 1. Summary numbers of stems, species, genera, and families of tree communities in three different habitats at Perlis State Park, Perlis. No. of Stems (dbh ≥ 5) No. of Species No. of Genus No. of Family Setul 1722 270 152 57 Granite 1245 204 130 50 Kubang Pasu 1333 109 76 31 Overall PSP 4300 412 207 68

Table 2. Five leading tree families based on the total number of species in three different habitats at Perlis State Park, Perlis. Three families shared the fifth rank for overall PSP area. Setul Granite Kubang Pasu Overall PSP Family No. Family No. Family No. Family No. Species Species Species Species Euphorbiaceae 36 Euphorbiaceae 19 Euphorbiaceae 12 Euphorbiaceae 47 Annonaceae 20 Leguminosae 11 Moraceae 11 Annonaceae 28 Moraceae 17 Anacardiaceae 11 Annonaceae 9 Moraceae 23 Meliaceae 11 Annonaceae 9 Meliaceae 7 Rubiaceae 18 Anacardiaceae 11 Guttiferae 9 Rubiaceae 7 Anacardiaceae 16 Myrtaceae 16 Sterculiaceae 16

Table 3. Sorensen similarity index of family and species similarity between different habitats in the Perlis State Park, Perlis Family Species Setul – Granite 0.75 0.39 Setul – Kubang Pasu 0.70 0.34 Granite – Kubang Pasu 0.67 0.31

Table 4. Densities of five leading tree families and species in Setul, Granite and Kubang Pasu study plots at Perlis State Park, Perlis, Peninsular Malaysia Family Density (trees/ha) Species Density (trees/ha) Moraceae 114 Saraca cauliflora 89 Leguminosae 110 Diospyros scortechinii 49 Euphorbiaceae 93 Pentaspodon curtisii 31 Setul Ebenaceae 90 Diospyros venosa 28 Meliaceae 63 Streblus macrophyllus 27 Dipterocarpaceae 146 Memecylon caeraleum 81 Anacardiaceae 132 Croton laevifolius 75 Euphorbiaceae 131 Hopea ferrea 66 Ebenaceae 118 Diospyros scortechinii 66 Granite Melastomataceae 94 Psydrax sp. 55 Moraceae 147 Pentaspodon curtisii 122 Anacardiaceae 124 Streblus macrophyllus 112 Flacourtiaceae 99 Homalium longifolium 47 Kubang Pasu Dipterocarpaceae 87 Hopea ferrea 44 Ebenaceae 69 Hydnocarpus curtisii 43

Table 5. Basal Area (BA) of five leading tree families and species in Setul, Granite and Kubang Pasu study plots at Perlis State Park, Perlis, Peninsular Malaysia Family BA (m2/ha) Species BA (m2/ha) Leguminosae 7.56 Saraca cauliflora 5.69 Sapindaceae 4.37 Pterospermum pectiniforme 2.73 Sterculiaceae 3.77 Diospyros scortechinii 2.62 Setul Ebenaceae 3.68 Duabanga grandiflora 2.16 Moraceae 3.13 Pometia pinnata 2.16 Anacardiaceae 7.95 Swintonia floribunda 3.65 Dipterocarpaceae 5.42 Dipterocarpus fagineus 2.60

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Myrtaceae 2.51 Gluta elegans 2.41 Ebenaceae 2.13 Hopea ferrea 1.55 Granite Verbenaceae 2.14 Syzygium glaucum 1.50 Dipterocarpaceae 5.52 Diospyros scortechinii 4.80 Ebenaceae 5.41 Hopea ferrea 4.70 Anacardiaceae 3.83 Pentaspodon curtisii 3.63 Kubang Pasu Flacourtiaceae 2.99 Colona merguensis 1.35 Moraceae 2.65 Aglaia affinis 1.21

Table 5. Importance Value Index (IVi) of five leading tree families and species in Setul, Granite and Kubang Pasu study plots at Perlis State Park, Perlis, Peninsular Malaysia Family IVi (%) Species IVi (%) Leguminosae 11.33 Saraca cauliflora 8.03 Euphorbiaceae 9.82 Diospyros scortechinii 4.27 Moraceae 9.13 Pometia pinnata 2.69 Setul Ebenaceae 7.89 Pterospermum pectiniforme 2.61 Sapindaceae 6.92 Duabanga grandiflora 2.26 Anacardiaceae 13.00 Swintonia floribunda 5.04 Dipterocarpaceae 10.83 Dipterocarpus fagineus 3.63 Euphorbiaceae 7.02 Hopea ferrea 3.57 Ebenaceae 6.38 Gluta elegans 3.32 Granite Myrtaceae 5.31 Diospyros scortechinii 3.23 Moraceae 10.96 Pentaspodon curtisii 8.27 Ebenaceae 10.45 Diospyros scortechinii 7.11 Dipterocarpaceae 10.21 Hopea ferrea 7.09 Kubang Pasu Anacardiaceae 8.93 Streblus macrophyllus 5.45 Flacourtiaceae 8.21 Hydnocarpus curtisii 3.47

Figure 1. Location of Perlis State Park (PSP), Peninsular Malaysia

Figure 2. Map showing the geological characteristics of Figure 3. Rarefaction curves illustrating the number of the Perlis State Park [10] species increase with the increase number of individuals sampled in Setul, Granite and Kubang Pasu study plots

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Figure 4. Stand structure of trees at different dbh Figure 5. Distribution of BA of different diameter classes classes in the study plots at Perlis State Park, Perlis, in the study plots at Perlis State Park, Perlis, Peninsular Peninsular Malaysia Malaysia

CONCLUSION characteristics of different formations might be the major Tree communities between two different forest influence of the floristic patterns. The importance of the habitats of limestone and lowland dipterocarp forest at the Perlis State Park as a biodiversity rich-area deserves Kenong Forest Park, Pahang show differences in terms of attention for conservation of the unique limestone habitat richness, diversity and dominance of tree species. of the semi deciduous forest area in Malaysia. Floristic variation patterns between the distinct habitats of the forest park suggest that there are environmental ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS gradients that influence the floristic patterns. Identifying We would like to thank the Perlis Forestry the key underlying gradients, abiotic conditions and major Department, for permission to conduct the research and soil influences on vegetation patterns is essential in their co-operation and support throughout the study. We formulating plans to protect and conserve forest habitats thank Mrs. Latifah, Mr. Ibrahim Edham, Ms. Siti Eryani, of conservation interest. the late Mr. Badrol and the late Mr. Haliki for their help The study showed that the tree flora of different in the field works; Mr. Abu Husin bin Harun and En. forest habitats within the Perlis State Park (PSP) varied in Ahmed Zainuddin Ibrahim are thanked for their helps in terms of species richness, diversity and their importance. identification. The Research University Grant of Variations in floristic composition between forest habitats GUP-2013-056 is also acknowledged. of different geological formations indicate that the underlying environmental gradients such as soil CONFLICT OF INTEREST: NIL

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