Stand structure and species diversity of Keniam forest, Pahang National Park

Forest inventory data were collected from five transect lines divided into 20 m × 20 m sampling plots in a lowland rainforests of Kuala Keniam, Pahang National Park, Malaysia. All trees of greater than 10 cm in diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured and identified by species. A total of 448 stems, 198 species, 116 genera and 44 families occurred in study area, in which dominant families include Euphorbiaceae, Myristicaceae, Burseraceae, Leguminosae and Myrtaceae. Tree species such as Elateriospermum tapos, Knema patentinervia, Macaranga lowii, Mallotus leucodermis and Syzygium spp. are among the important part of the floristic composition in the study site. There were no significance differences in the means of basal area, stems, species and genera per hectare between five transects (P≥0.05), indicating that the forest is characterized by a uniform spatial distribution of trees. However, the sites are represented by different combinations of the dominants and co-dominant species. The Shannon-Weiner species diversity index (H') ranged from 3.42 – 3.97, which is within the range of other studies in lowland rainforests. The stand structure described by diameter distribution was inverse J-shaped which indicates the stands are developing and regeneration in the forest is present. The results from this study are expected to be helpful in providing a valuable reference and encouraging positive participation in biodiversity conservation.