BUKU ABSTRAK - Universiti Putra Malaysia

Assessment of Forest Fire E Structure Characteristics
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Ainuddin Nuruddin
Kelvin Goh
Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products, University Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
+603-8947 2179; ainuddin@forr.upm.edu.my
Keywords: Forest fire, forest disturbance, fire effects, tree diversity, peat swamp forest
Asplenium nidus - A Drought Tolerant Epiphytic Fern Suitable for Extreme
Environment
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Ainuddin Nuruddin
Nur Najwa Dina Anak Abong
Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products, University Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
+603-8947 2179; ainuddin@introp.upm.edu.my
Keywords: Environmental stress, forest canopy, growth response, fern
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Forestry & Environment
Forest fires occurrences in tropical peat swamp forest have been causing disturbances to the forest by
damage to the trees and forest structure. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of forest fire on
forest structure in the peat swamp forest. The study was conducted in Raja Musa Forest Reserve which has been
experiencing occurrence fire since 1996. Ten plots, each measuring 50m x 20m were systematically set up both in
the burnt and unburnt areas and plant inventory were conducted between September 2001 to June 2002. Results
showed that there were 10 families and 22 families in burnt and unburnt areas, respectively. In terms of family,
Euphorbiaceae (61.9 %) was ranked first in the burnt area. Imperata cylindrica from family of Poaceae had the
most coverage on burnt plot. For tree diameter distribution, trees with diameter class of 10.1 cm - 15.0 cm and
15.1 - 20.0 cm had the highest numbers in the unburnt area while trees with diameter class of 5.1 - 10.0 cm was
the highest in burnt area. Shannon species diversity index in burnt area was 1.62, lower compared to unburnt area
which was 2.40. Evenness Index for burnt area was 0.68, lower than unburnt area which was 0.71. This study
shows that fire affects the species composition and stand structure of the forest and herbaceous vegetation, such
as Poaceae was found to be abundant in burnt area compared to unburnt area.
Asplenium nidus is an epiphyte plant found in forest canopy. Recently, the epiphyte has been very popular
as an ornamental plant. Pot experiment was conducted in the nursery of Faculty of Forestry, University Putra
Malaysia during the periods from May to August, 2006 to investigate the effect of water stress on Asplenium
nidus growth performance, transpiration rate and chlorophyll content in fronds. The plants were subjected to five
water stress levels; Control - watered every day, T1 - watered every three days, T2 - watered every seven days,
T3 - watered every fourteen days and T4 - suspended without watering. Growth parameters were measured every
week for a period of sixteen weeks. At the end of experiment, transpiration rate and chlorophyll content were
measured as well as dry matter of plants. The results showed that levels of watering did not significantly affect
all growth and physiological parameters of Asplenium nidus except T4 which decreased all growth parameter and
some physiological responses. T1 had the highest dry matter production. The plants allocated more growth to the
shoot under optimum conditions but more growth to the root under stress conditions. This plant was able to adapt
and survive without watering for sixteen weeks and demonstrate that it can survive in water limited condition.