o_19ko2dt161ng2j4e1tgnoqv1s45a.pdf

CONSERVATION STRATEGIES OF SHOREA LUMUTENSIS (DIPTEROCARPACEAE) IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
100
90
80
70
% of alleles
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
10 30 50 70 90 110 130 150 170 190 210 230 250 270 290 310 330
No. of individua ls
Fig. 6. Changes in % of alleles maintained with changes in the number of individuals of S.
lumutensis removed. All values were based on a mean of 1000 resamplings with standard
errors (SE). Dotted lines represent standard errors.
DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This study showed that S. lumutensis comprises only five populations and perhaps no more
than 500 large individuals; extinction of the species is likely if nothing is done to conserve it.
There are two basic conservation strategies for plants, in situ and ex situ conservation. In situ
conservation involves the designation, management and monitoring of species at the location
where they are currently found, whereas ex situ conservation involves the sampling, transfer
and storage of species away from the original locations where they were found. Conserving S.
lumutensis in its natural habitat is clearly the first step. However, ex situ conservation is also
necessary to provide insurance against catastrophic events and to facilitate the possibility of
future reintroduction into appropriate habitats.
Selection of In situ Conservation Area
Shorea lumutensis has >90% of its total genetic diversity residing within the population and
displays mix-mating system. As the species is endemic to Peninsular Malaysia and comprises
only five populations and perhaps no more than 500 large individuals, the five populations
need to be conserved. The cluster analysis showed that Segari Melintang harbors some unique
genetic characteristics which should receive additional attention for conservation purposes.
The minimum population size needed to maintain 95% of its genetic diversity was estimated as
270 individuals (in the range of 200-310) and the mean breeding unit size was estimated as 52
individuals. When planning a conservation area, however, a minimal population size should be
regarded only as a last resort and an extreme compromise. For added safety, much larger
population or area should constitute units of in situ conservation (Hawkes et al. 1997). However,
282