Diversity, abundance and distribution of ferns at Bukit Bauk Forest, Dungun Terengganu

Abstract

Fems are among the important plant biodiversity components in the Malaysia forests and widely distribute, making it as a good subject for the study of diversity and composition. The study was carried out from 1 i 11 August 2006 in Bukit Bauk Forest at three different elevations; low elevation ( 45m), middle elevation (145m) and high elevation (345m) by using five plots at each. A total of 134 individuals from eight species representing seven families of fem species have been recorded in Bukit Bauk Forest. Adiantaceae is represented by two species making it as the largest component with 82% and the most dominant family in the collection. Taenitis blechnoides (Willd.) Sw. was the most dominant species with I 06 individuals and found in all elevations. While, Asplenium nidus L. is represented by only one individual. Fern diversity (Shannon­ Wiener Index, 0.94) and richness (Margalef Index, 1.06) were highest in low elevation. The greater evenness was recorded at middle elevation (Evenness Index, 0.75). ANOVA analysis showed that there is significant difference for total species (F2 .2 1th to 19=0.000, P<0.05). while there is no significant difference for total individuals (F2 _2 1= 0.551, P>0.05) of fems between three elevations at Bukit Bauk Forest. Overall, the composition of ferns at Bukit Bauk Forest is not diverse.