TREE SPECIES COMPOSITION IN PULAU BIDONG AND PULAU REDANG

Abstract

Island is a landmass surrounded by water and occupied by extensive stands of forest with diverse tree species. Tree is a critical plant formation because it is the major component that made up the forest canopy. The availability of extensive forest canopy is crucial for most animals such as birds, mammals, insects, and reptiles mainly for food, shield and shelter. However, information on the composition and distribution on the tree taxa in the off-coast islands of Terengganu are scarce. Therefore, a study was carried out to provide taxonomic lists of tree species in the islands of Terengganu that covers Pulau Bidong and Pulau Redang. Forest plot of 50m x 50m was used to analyze the flristic composition of tree taxa. The plot was divided into four equal square subplots of 25m x 25m. All trees with 5cm dbh and above were tagged, measured in terms for dbh size and height, recorded and identifid. Voucher specimens were taken for further verifiation purposes. A total of 102 tree species were recorded comprising of 37 families and 66 genera. This fiding is relevant in our understanding of the forest ecosystem dynamic for conservation management purposes.