Sains Malaysiana 42(9)(2013): 1237–1246

 

Conservation Gap Analysis of Dipterocarp Hotspots in Sarawak Using Gis,

Remote Sensing and Hebarium Data

(Analisis Jurang dalam Pemeliharaan Dipterokap di Sarawak Menggunakan

Gis, Penderiaan Kawalan Jauh dan Data Herbarium)

 

Stephen P. Teo1*, Paul P.K. Chai2 & Mui-How Phua3

 

1Forest Department Sarawak, Level 5, Wisma Sumber Alam, 93660 Kuching, Sarawak

Malaysia

 

2International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Level 5, Wisma Sumber Alam

93660 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

 

3School of International Tropical Forestry, Universiti Malaysia Sabah

88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

 

Received: 25 January 2012/Accepted: 8 March 2013

 

ABSTRACT

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 hotspots in the central part of Sarawak least protected. Protected areas only cover between 1.2 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.

 

Keywords: Dipterocarps; endemic; non-endemic; protected areas; Sarawak

 

ABSTRAK

Dipterosarpaceae merupakan famili pokok dominan hutan hujan tropika Asia Tenggara. Borneo adalah pusat kepelbagaian dipterokarpa. Pengenalpastian titik panas adalah penting dalam usaha pemeliharaan kepelbagaian biologi dan hutan. Model Kehadiran Spesies (SOMs) diperoleh untuk kesemua 24 spesies dipterokarpa yang direkod di Sarawak menggunakan data herbarium serta memilih model terbaik. Peta kepadatan spesies bagi setiap genus dan kategori (endemik dan bukan endemik) diperoleh dengan menindih kesemua SOM bagi kesemua spesies di dalam setiap genus atau kategori. Peta kepadatan spesies ditindih dengan peta penutupan bumi daripada imej Landsat 7-EMT+ dan kawasan hutan terlindung untuk pengenalpastian titik panas untuk pemeliharaan di Sarawak. Pertindihan peta SOM menunjukkan bahawa kawasan di Sarawak tengah dan kawasan barat daya (barat laut Borneo sekitar Kuching) merupakan titik panas utama kepelbagaian dipterokarpa di Sarawak manakala kawasan tanah rendah di hilir Sungai Rejang dan Sungai Baram yang merupakan hutan gambut adalah rendah kepadatan spesiesnya. Daripada segi endemisme, seperti dengan kepelbagaian dipterokarpa, hutan dipterokarpa campuran Sarawak tengah adalah titik panas yang paling penting. Analisis jurang menunjukkan bahawa kawasan hutan terlindung yang paling banyak adalah di barat daya Sarawak (Taman Negara Bako, Kubah, Tanjung Datu dan Gunung Gading) dan di sebelah bahagian utara Sarawak (Taman Negara Niah, Bukit Lambir dan Gunung Mulu). Ini meninggalkan titik panas di bahagian tengah Sarawak paling kurang terlindung. Kawasan terlindung hanya merangkumi antara 1.2 dan 4% keseluruhan kawasan bagi pelbagai titik panas (75% kepadatan spesies) manakala titik panas selebihnya adalah di luar kawasan terlindung.

 

Kata kunci: Dipterokarpa; endemik; kawasan terlindung; Sarawak; tidak endemik

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*Corresponding author; email: stephetp@sarawak.gov.my

 

 

 

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