Preliminary Study on Tree Species Composition, Diversity and Biomass of Dipterocarpus and Hopea genera of Bukit Bakar Forest Eco Park, Machang, Kelantan

Abstract

A study on species composition, diversity and biomass of genera Dipterocarpus and Hopea at Bukit Bakar Forest Eco Park, Machang, Kelantan was conducted. A total of 5 ecological plots with measurement of 20 m x 20 m were established. All trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) less than 5.0 cm were tagged, measured and collected for specimen identifications and voucher specimen's preparations. The floristic composition of Bukit Bakar Eco Park consists of 135 individuals represented by 1 family, 2 genera and 17 species. The most abundance species recorded was Dipterocarpus crinitus Dyer with 23 individuals were recorded. Dipterocarpus crinitus (Dipterocarpaceae) was the most important species according to Important Value index (IVi) calculated at IVi = 17.73%. Dipterocarpaceae was the most high species diversity according to Shannon Wiener Index, H'=2.02 (H' max =2.30) for Dipterocarpus spp. and H'=1.90 (H' max =1.94) for Hopea spp. and Simpson's Index of Diversity for Dipterocarpus spp. is 0.85 and 0.86 for Hopea spp. Whilst Hopea had a slightly higher Species Evenness Index (EH=0.98) compared to Dipterocarpus (EH=0.87). Total tree biomass estimation in the study area was at 145.18 t/ha.