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Ecological survey patterns in a primary forest in Singapore : a study of rattans
Author
Tan, Ling Ling
Supervisor
Lum, Shawn K. Y.
Abstract
Rattans are the most valuable non-timber product after timber. Rattans unlike Dipterocarps have not been as extensively studied until the last 20 years, and studies of rattans have mainly centered on silvicultural practices to exploit valuable species. While Singapore has no commercially viable production of rattan canes, Singapore faces similar issues to those of rattan-producing countries. Due to human activities and land development, our forests are already fragments of their former selves and the impetus is for us to manage these forests in a sustainable manner.
The purpose of this study is to provide baseline information of the diversity and abundance, floristic composition, and distribution patterns of rattans along the Lornie Trail based on forest dynamics concepts of forest fragments and canopy gaps. This will help in managing the rattan plants at the Lornie Trail and elsewhere in Singapore.
The study revealed that the 0.56ha site along the Lornie Trail was found to be more species rich than when compared to a 2ha plot in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. This contradicts the common notion that the Lornie Trail should be less species rich when compared to Bukit Timah. This is because it is a mix of primary and secondary forest types while Bukit Timah is mainly a primary forest. It was also found that Lornie Trail has a greater rattan density compared to Bukit Timah. The Lornie Trail rattans were poorly represented at the 4 canopy gaps. Moreover, there were indications of seed dispersal limitation and poor seedling establishment for the rattans in the Lornie Trail survey site which could be attributed to the extinction of seed dispersal agents such as large animals in MacRitchie forest or to disturbances, both natural and man made, which are regular enough to prevent successful seedling establishment.
The purpose of this study is to provide baseline information of the diversity and abundance, floristic composition, and distribution patterns of rattans along the Lornie Trail based on forest dynamics concepts of forest fragments and canopy gaps. This will help in managing the rattan plants at the Lornie Trail and elsewhere in Singapore.
The study revealed that the 0.56ha site along the Lornie Trail was found to be more species rich than when compared to a 2ha plot in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. This contradicts the common notion that the Lornie Trail should be less species rich when compared to Bukit Timah. This is because it is a mix of primary and secondary forest types while Bukit Timah is mainly a primary forest. It was also found that Lornie Trail has a greater rattan density compared to Bukit Timah. The Lornie Trail rattans were poorly represented at the 4 canopy gaps. Moreover, there were indications of seed dispersal limitation and poor seedling establishment for the rattans in the Lornie Trail survey site which could be attributed to the extinction of seed dispersal agents such as large animals in MacRitchie forest or to disturbances, both natural and man made, which are regular enough to prevent successful seedling establishment.
Date Issued
2009
Call Number
QK495.P17 Tan
Date Submitted
2009