Composition and Diversity of Tree Species with DBH of 5 cm and above at Pulau Banding, Gerik, Perak, Malaysia

Abstract

A total of 92 individual trees with DBH of 5 cm and above comprising 21 families, 28 genera and 35 species were measured, identified and recorded. This study aimed to enumerate the tree species composition and estimate the diversity index of trees with DBH of 5 cm and above at Pulau Banding, Perak. An ecological plot size of 70 m x 70 m or 0.49 ha was established and divided into three subplots. The data collection was collected to determine the number of species, number of individuals and DBH within the plots. The Shannon Diversity Index was estimated at H’ = 2.98 (H’max = 3.53) while the Simpson’s Index (D) was 0.10 and Species Evenness (E) was 0.85. Murraya paniculata (Rutaceae) was the most important species with an IV i (Important Value Index) of 24.7%, while Dipterocarpaceae was the dominant family for the study area with an IV i of 45.36%. The total aboveground biomass of all trees with a DBH of 5 cm and above in a 0.49 ha plot in Pulau Banding was estimated at 66.2 t/ha. Hence this study is providing preliminary data on tree species composition at Pulau Banding, Perak for conserving the remaining valued timber trees that are still in the regeneration phase.