The impacts of man's activities on the unique floras of Malaysian mountains

Soepadmo E., . (1987) The impacts of man's activities on the unique floras of Malaysian mountains. [Proceedings Paper]

Due to its geological history and strategic geographical location the hill and montain flora of South East Asia in general and that of Malaysia in particular is unique in many ways. On one hand it contains many endemic species while on the other it also harbours many species having a close affinity with those found in the Asiatic and Australian Continents. Locally due to the prevailing topographic edaphic and climatic factors the montain flora differs significantly from the floras of lower altitudes. Various floristic studies carried out in the past few decades have clearly demonstrated that the Malaysian mountains are rich in plant species which have potentials to be developed and introduced as ornamentals e.g. rhododendrons pitcher plants ferns and orchids and timbers e.g. Agathis Altingia many species of1059 Dipterocarpaceae Fagaceae and Lauraceae Scaphium Symingtonia etc. However due partly to our ignorance and partly to the need for developing mountain regions into more profitable landuses many of the summit areas of the more easily accessible mountains in Malaysia and elsewhere in South East Asia have been drastically altered or completely cleared to make way for the establishment of holiday resorts vegetable and/or flower farms tea-estates etc. Along with these drastic changes also gone forever are many plant species endemic to a particular mountain. This paper will attempt to demonstrate the exceptionally unique and species-rich montain floras of Malaysia the impact of man's activities on such floras and will outline various steps to be taken to ensure that a complete erosion of our valuable plant genetic resources will not ar

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Abstract

Due to its geological history and strategic geographical location the hill and montain flora of South East Asia in general and that of Malaysia in particular is unique in many ways. On one hand it contains many endemic species while on the other it also harbours many species having a close affinity with those found in the Asiatic and Australian Continents. Locally due to the prevailing topographic edaphic and climatic factors the montain flora differs significantly from the floras of lower altitudes. Various floristic studies carried out in the past few decades have clearly demonstrated that the Malaysian mountains are rich in plant species which have potentials to be developed and introduced as ornamentals e.g. rhododendrons pitcher plants ferns and orchids and timbers e.g. Agathis Altingia many species of1059 Dipterocarpaceae Fagaceae and Lauraceae Scaphium Symingtonia etc. However due partly to our ignorance and partly to the need for developing mountain regions into more profitable landuses many of the summit areas of the more easily accessible mountains in Malaysia and elsewhere in South East Asia have been drastically altered or completely cleared to make way for the establishment of holiday resorts vegetable and/or flower farms tea-estates etc. Along with these drastic changes also gone forever are many plant species endemic to a particular mountain. This paper will attempt to demonstrate the exceptionally unique and species-rich montain floras of Malaysia the impact of man's activities on such floras and will outline various steps to be taken to ensure that a complete erosion of our valuable plant genetic resources will not ar

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	61 ref. Summary En
AGROVOC Term:	eMALASIA
AGROVOC Term:	FLORA
AGROVOC Term:	ZONA DE MON
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:25
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/14476

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