Conservation gap analysis of dipterocarp hotspots in Sarawak using GIS, remote sensing and herbarium data
Dipterocarpaceae is the dominant tree family in the tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia. Borneo is the centre of diversity for the dipterocarps. Identification of hotspots is important for forest and biodiversity conservation efforts. Species Occurrence Models (SOMs) were generated for all 247...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2013
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/19151/1/Conservation%20gap%20analysis%20of%20dipterocarp%20hotspots%20in%20Sarawak%20using%20GIS.pdf https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/19151/ http://www.ukm.my/jsm/pdf_files/SM-PDF-42-9-2013/05%20Stephen%20P..pdf |
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| Summary: | Dipterocarpaceae is the dominant tree family in the tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia. Borneo is the centre of diversity
for the dipterocarps. Identification of hotspots is important for forest and biodiversity conservation efforts. Species
Occurrence Models (SOMs) were generated for all 247 species of dipterocarps recorded in Sarawak using herbarium
occurrence data and based on the best model selected. The species occurrence density map for each genus and category
(endemic and non endemic) was generated by overlaying the SOMs of all species in each genus or category. The species
occurrence density maps were analyzed with land cover map from Landsat 7-EMT+ images and protected forest areas
for identifying hotspots for conservation in Sarawak. Overlaying the SOM maps revealed that areas in central Sarawak
and the southwest region (northwest Borneo around Kuching) are the main hotspots of dipterocarp diversity in Sarawak
while the coastal lowland areas in the lower Rejang and Baram River which are mainly peat swamp forest are poorer in
species occurrence density. In terms of endemism, as with dipterocarp diversity, the mixed diptercarp forest of central
Sarawak is also the most important hotspot. Gap analysis revealed that most protected forest areas are in southwest
Sarawak (Bako, Kubah, Tanjung Datu and Gunung Gading National Parks) and in the northern part of Sarawak (Niah,
Lambir Hills and Mt Mulu National Parks). This leaves the hotspot in the central part of Sarawak least protected.
Protected areas only cover between 2 and 4% of the total areas for the different hotspots (75% species density) while
majority of the hotspots that are still forested are outside the protected areas. |
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