Content
Introduction
Peninsular Malaysia provides many examples of tropical forests, although most of the lowland rain forests have been lost, many before their floras and faunas were fully described. The remaining forests are largely in upland areas that run down the central spine of the peninsula. The peninsula lies close to the Equator, from 6°43´ N to 1°15´ N. The geology is relatively simple, with granite underlying the terrain from the main range westwards, and Triassic phyllites and shales dominating the eastern part of the country. There are few very high mountains, with most being <2000 m.
Dipterocarp forests dominate, particularly at lower altitudes below about 1000 m. Forests above the dipterocarp forests are dominated by oaks, and above these forests, there is a zone of montane ericaceous forest. Part of the peninsula lies within the Riau Pocket floristic province and the flora has affinities with Sarawak and parts of Sumatra. The very high levels of diversity and endemism reflect past changes in the extent of the forests, which were more extensive when the Sunda Shelf was exposed by lower sea-levels.
Outcomes
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
- Describe the climatic conditions found in Peninsular Malaysia
- Compare the forests found at different altitudes in Peninsular Malaysia
- Recall some of the dominant species found in different forest types
- Compare and explain the altitudinal distributions of Dipterocarpaceae and Fagaceae
- Compare the main bird assemblages found in Peninsular Malaysia
Readings
Optional Readings
- Ashton, P. 2014. On the forests of Tropical Asia. Lest the memory fade. London, UK: Kew Publishing. 670 pp.
- Okuda, T., Manokokaran, N., Matsumoto, Y., Niiyama, K., Thomas, S.C., Ashton, P.S. 2003. Ecology of a lowland rain forest in Southeast Asia. Tokyo, Japan: Springer-Verlag. 628 pp.
- Kiew, R., Chung, R.C.K., Saw, L.G., Soepadno, E. and Boyce, P.C. (eds.) Flora of Peninsular Malaysia. Series II: Seed Plant, Volume 1. Malayan Forest Records 49. Kepong, Malaysia: Forest Research Institute Malaysia.
- Wells, D.R. 1999. The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Volume One. Non-passerines. San Diego, California, USA: Academic Press. 648 pp.
- Wells, D.R. 2007. The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Volume Two. Passerines. San Diego, California, USA: Academic Press. 800 pp.
Self-check Quiz (For certificate learning only)
After viewing topic presentations, take this self-check quiz to check your own progress. This quiz is designed to see how well you remember some of the issues presented in the topic. There are five questions, and each has a potential of 4 answers, only one of which is correct. When you are ready, click the link 'Self-Check Quiz 5.1.5' to start taking the quiz.
Summary
The forests of Peninsular Malaysia have been heavily impacted by development, particularly at lower altitudes where most of the lowland rain forest has been cleared for agriculture, industrial plantations and urban development. A clear gradient in forest types occurs with altitude, although there are few areas above 2000 m. Dipterocarp forests dominate lower altitudes. Above these, there is a zone of oak forests and at the highest levels, there is a zone of ericaceous forest. Each of these has different floras and faunas.
Self-review (For self learning)
To review what you have learned in the topic, you are encouraged to use the following reflection questions as a study guide to do a self-review for the topic:
- What climatic conditions found in Peninsular Malaysia?
- How do the forests found at different altitudes in Peninsular Malaysia compare?
- What are the most important tree species found in the different forest types?
- How do the altitudinal distributions of Dipterocarpaceae and Fagaceae differ, and what explains these differences?
- How do the major bird assemblages found in Peninsular Malaysia compare?
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