3. Results and discussion

#### 3.1. Light intensity

cone penetrometers are commonly used to measure soil compaction because of their easy,

In this study, hand penetrometer Eijkelkamp was used to measure soil compactions. Five points were sampled randomly and assessed in each plot. The measurement of soil compaction using a static cone penetrometer measures the force required to push a metal cone through the

rapid and economical operation [20].

162 National Parks - Management and Conservation

Figure 3. Camera and Nikon FC-E8 fisheye converter.

Figure 4. Measuring of soil compaction through penetrometer.

Table 1 shows a summary of light intensity percentage for three study sites. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA), it was found that there is a significant difference in the means of light intensity between the three study sites (p < 0.05). This suggests that ecotourism activities have significantly influenced to the amount of light penetration within forest understory. Next, a multiple comparison test (i.e., Tukey's test) indicated that there is no significant difference in the means of light intensity between camping area vs. trekking trail and camping area vs. natural area (p > 0.05). However, the light intensity in the trekking trail is significantly greater than in natural area (18.87% vs. 13.13%). The mean value recorded for trekking trail is the highest among three study sites (Table 1). Therefore, trekking and hiking activities are influencing the trend of light intensity within the forest area of Pahang National Park.

This study also recorded the composition of tree species in all study sites. Information on the uniformity of tree species in all study sites is crucial to the study as ecological adaptions of


Note: All values for percentage of light intensity are mean � SD. Means with same letter indicate no significant difference at p < 0.05.

Table 1. Descriptive statistics for light intensity between camping area, trekking trail and natural area of Taman Negara Pahang.

tree species and its environment could also influence the changes of light intensity in a forest area. The condition of the tree canopy structure that comprises of the complex spatial arrangement of foliage, branches and the stem of trees totally depends on the tree species, ecological interaction of the species and corresponding competitiveness. From the analysis of importance value index (IVI), it was found that the dominant tree species occurred in these three study sites were similar where Perah (Elateriospermum tapos) and Meranti tembaga (Shorea leprosula) are among the tree species with highest IVI [23]. According to Curtis and McIntosh [24], the tree species with highest IVI exist in the greatest number or the greatest size where they produce the greatest effect on the tree community and its surrounding. Hence, in this study it was observed that tree species was not so much different in natural area; trekking trail and camping area and the value of light intensity shall be compared and pooled as in Table 1.

In the current situation, very few published studies have characterized the light intensity in tropical forest resulted from anthropogenic influences using hemispherical photographs. Then, values obtained from this study are discussed and ecologically compared with the other studies elsewhere. Tree requires light to grow, and thus light may influence the regeneration dynamics [25, 26]. The bigger size of canopy openness will then allow some amounts of light penetration directly into the forest floor and trigger the tree seed germination [27]. Figures 5–8 show the variations in canopy opening as captured through hemispherical photograph from three study sites of Pahang National Park. All the photographs were then analyzed using RGBFisheye software to obtain the percentage value of diffuse light intensity that is captured by the camera.

As comparisons with study by Beaudet and Messier [25] on light transmission recorded in the Duchesnay Forest Station and Mousseau Forest, Québec (Canada), which dominated by tree species of Acer saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis and Fagus grandifolia stands. The description

about the studied area is that the stands had been logged, using the selection system and while the control area was uncut forests. The gap light index (GLI) values obtained from the previous study were ranged from 3.1 to 37.2% for cut forests and 3.0 to 16.5% in the control forests. The trend GLI values of light transmission for this previous study show the higher percentage in

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Figure 6. Digital image taken from hemispherical photograph for trekking trail.

Figure 7. Digital image taken from hemispherical photograph for camping area.

Figure 5. Digital image taken from hemispherical photograph for natural area.

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Figure 6. Digital image taken from hemispherical photograph for trekking trail.

tree species and its environment could also influence the changes of light intensity in a forest area. The condition of the tree canopy structure that comprises of the complex spatial arrangement of foliage, branches and the stem of trees totally depends on the tree species, ecological interaction of the species and corresponding competitiveness. From the analysis of importance value index (IVI), it was found that the dominant tree species occurred in these three study sites were similar where Perah (Elateriospermum tapos) and Meranti tembaga (Shorea leprosula) are among the tree species with highest IVI [23]. According to Curtis and McIntosh [24], the tree species with highest IVI exist in the greatest number or the greatest size where they produce the greatest effect on the tree community and its surrounding. Hence, in this study it was observed that tree species was not so much different in natural area; trekking trail and camping area and the value of light intensity shall be compared and

In the current situation, very few published studies have characterized the light intensity in tropical forest resulted from anthropogenic influences using hemispherical photographs. Then, values obtained from this study are discussed and ecologically compared with the other studies elsewhere. Tree requires light to grow, and thus light may influence the regeneration dynamics [25, 26]. The bigger size of canopy openness will then allow some amounts of light penetration directly into the forest floor and trigger the tree seed germination [27]. Figures 5–8 show the variations in canopy opening as captured through hemispherical photograph from three study sites of Pahang National Park. All the photographs were then analyzed using RGBFisheye software to obtain the percentage value of diffuse light intensity that is captured

As comparisons with study by Beaudet and Messier [25] on light transmission recorded in the Duchesnay Forest Station and Mousseau Forest, Québec (Canada), which dominated by tree species of Acer saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis and Fagus grandifolia stands. The description

Figure 5. Digital image taken from hemispherical photograph for natural area.

pooled as in Table 1.

164 National Parks - Management and Conservation

by the camera.

Figure 7. Digital image taken from hemispherical photograph for camping area.

about the studied area is that the stands had been logged, using the selection system and while the control area was uncut forests. The gap light index (GLI) values obtained from the previous study were ranged from 3.1 to 37.2% for cut forests and 3.0 to 16.5% in the control forests. The trend GLI values of light transmission for this previous study show the higher percentage in

Figure 8. Digital image taken from hemispherical photograph for open area.

the cut forests than the control forests. Thus, this trend shows that human activity (i.e. cutting forest) is affecting the light condition within a forest area. According to Table 1, camping area and trekking trail are slightly higher in the percentage of light intensity than the natural area. Canham et al. [28] also in their study at the United States and Costa Rica found that the GLI values for closed canopy of five study sites were ranged 0.5–5.2% and the GLI values for canopy opening were ranging between 36.8 and 67.6% at the same sites.

soil for camping area, trekking trail and natural area was 1.19, 2.19 and 0.95 MPa, respectively (Figure 9). From ANOVA, it was found that the means of penetration resistance between three study areas were varied significantly (p < 0.05). This may suggest that the ecotourism activities have significantly influenced to the soil compaction of Pahang National Park. Therefore, a multiple comparison test (i.e. Tukey's test) was performed indicating that there is no significant difference in the means of soil compaction between camping area and natural area (p > 0.05). However, the soil compaction in the trekking trail is significantly greater than in

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Figure 9. Soil compaction for camping area, trekking trail and natural area of Pahang National Park.

All the penetration resistances of soil compaction in this study were comparable with penetration resistance in study by Ampoorter et al. [32] where they found the value of 0.36 MPa at the ground surface to 2.51 MPa at 80 cm depth for undisturbed conditions in two sandy forests of Putte (the Netherlands). According to other previous studies [33, 34], tree root growth for many plants becomes restricted when soil penetration resistance exceeds 2.00 MPa and stops at resistances greater 3.00 MPa. Many previous studies were agreed that a range of 2.00– 3.00 MPa of soil compaction is affecting the pattern of tree growth, but study in oak forests in the northern half of France by Wei et al. [35] found the higher soil compaction detected on skid trails, which does not necessarily mean that it will have significant effects on ground flora. This is because flora could survive with penetration resistance to the ground up to 2.5 MPa. Thus, compacted soil may influence the trend of tree development. Eventually, it will affect the tree

Despite that Pahang National Park is a protected area, the status of soil compaction sounds vital information for management of the park. While this study observed the trekking trail is frequently used by the tourists for purpose of enjoying the nature, jungle trekking, mountain hiking, bird watching, picnic by the river, visiting the cave, wildlife hide, etc. Besides that, a

natural area and camping area as shown in Figure 9.

diversity and species composition within a forest area.

In recent study, through the field observation, trekking trail is frequently used by the visitors, and this will affect the tree growth and influence the tree structure. The lack of large tree structures may result in the less number of big canopy and lead to the greater light intensity in the forest understory that is captured by the hemispherical photography, while in camping area, the light intensity remains stable between disturbed and undisturbed conditions. However, there was an argument that the damage on forest stands and its diversity may not be solely affected from human intervention especially in the protected area. Other aspects such as biotic and abiotic elements may have also been contributing factors influencing the situation [29–31], which is not the intention of this study that focused on the physical aspects of human intervention through ecotourism activities to the forest area. Nevertheless, from the statistical analysis, it was found that the ecotourism activities especially to the hiking and trampling activities have caused the canopy openness and allow the greater light penetration to the forest floor.

#### 3.2. Soil compaction

Soil compaction measures the penetration resistance of soil in Pahang National Park as reflected from ecotourism activities. From the analysis, the mean of penetration resistance of Light Intensity and Soil Compaction as Influenced by Ecotourism Activities in Pahang National Park, Malaysia http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.74204 167

Figure 9. Soil compaction for camping area, trekking trail and natural area of Pahang National Park.

the cut forests than the control forests. Thus, this trend shows that human activity (i.e. cutting forest) is affecting the light condition within a forest area. According to Table 1, camping area and trekking trail are slightly higher in the percentage of light intensity than the natural area. Canham et al. [28] also in their study at the United States and Costa Rica found that the GLI values for closed canopy of five study sites were ranged 0.5–5.2% and the GLI values for

In recent study, through the field observation, trekking trail is frequently used by the visitors, and this will affect the tree growth and influence the tree structure. The lack of large tree structures may result in the less number of big canopy and lead to the greater light intensity in the forest understory that is captured by the hemispherical photography, while in camping area, the light intensity remains stable between disturbed and undisturbed conditions. However, there was an argument that the damage on forest stands and its diversity may not be solely affected from human intervention especially in the protected area. Other aspects such as biotic and abiotic elements may have also been contributing factors influencing the situation [29–31], which is not the intention of this study that focused on the physical aspects of human intervention through ecotourism activities to the forest area. Nevertheless, from the statistical analysis, it was found that the ecotourism activities especially to the hiking and trampling activities have caused the canopy openness and allow the greater light

Soil compaction measures the penetration resistance of soil in Pahang National Park as reflected from ecotourism activities. From the analysis, the mean of penetration resistance of

canopy opening were ranging between 36.8 and 67.6% at the same sites.

Figure 8. Digital image taken from hemispherical photograph for open area.

166 National Parks - Management and Conservation

penetration to the forest floor.

3.2. Soil compaction

soil for camping area, trekking trail and natural area was 1.19, 2.19 and 0.95 MPa, respectively (Figure 9). From ANOVA, it was found that the means of penetration resistance between three study areas were varied significantly (p < 0.05). This may suggest that the ecotourism activities have significantly influenced to the soil compaction of Pahang National Park. Therefore, a multiple comparison test (i.e. Tukey's test) was performed indicating that there is no significant difference in the means of soil compaction between camping area and natural area (p > 0.05). However, the soil compaction in the trekking trail is significantly greater than in natural area and camping area as shown in Figure 9.

All the penetration resistances of soil compaction in this study were comparable with penetration resistance in study by Ampoorter et al. [32] where they found the value of 0.36 MPa at the ground surface to 2.51 MPa at 80 cm depth for undisturbed conditions in two sandy forests of Putte (the Netherlands). According to other previous studies [33, 34], tree root growth for many plants becomes restricted when soil penetration resistance exceeds 2.00 MPa and stops at resistances greater 3.00 MPa. Many previous studies were agreed that a range of 2.00– 3.00 MPa of soil compaction is affecting the pattern of tree growth, but study in oak forests in the northern half of France by Wei et al. [35] found the higher soil compaction detected on skid trails, which does not necessarily mean that it will have significant effects on ground flora. This is because flora could survive with penetration resistance to the ground up to 2.5 MPa. Thus, compacted soil may influence the trend of tree development. Eventually, it will affect the tree diversity and species composition within a forest area.

Despite that Pahang National Park is a protected area, the status of soil compaction sounds vital information for management of the park. While this study observed the trekking trail is frequently used by the tourists for purpose of enjoying the nature, jungle trekking, mountain hiking, bird watching, picnic by the river, visiting the cave, wildlife hide, etc. Besides that, a social study by Ibrahim and Hassan [36] found Pahang National Park is among of popular ecotourism destinations in Malaysia where in 2008 approximately more than 40,000 international tourists arrived at this park. The local, domestic and ASEAN tourists were approximately more than 20,000 who visited Pahang National Park in the same year. Majority of stated tourists were staying at the provided hotel and chalet around of Kuala Tahan. This may suggest that camping areas were the lesser used by the visitors to do their activities within the forest area as their interest to enjoy the nature and get back to hotel or chalet for overnight. Therefore, trekking trail was recorded higher soil compaction than the camping area and natural area. The degree of soil compaction is totally depending on disturbance type and visit frequency [37].

Author details

Mohamad Danial Md Sabri<sup>1</sup>

\*Address all correspondence to: danial@frim.gov.my

1 Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

Resources and Environmental Issues. 1990;1:6

Journal of Environmental Management. 2004;70(1):73-84

34. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2005.04.007

ed. India: John Wiley & Sons; 2015. 328 p

Management. 2014;143:173-185

catena.2013.08.001

Nur Hajar Zamah Shari<sup>1</sup>

Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Selangor, Malaysia

References

\*, Mohd Nazip Suratman2,3, Abd Rahman Kassim1

Light Intensity and Soil Compaction as Influenced by Ecotourism Activities in Pahang National Park, Malaysia

, Shamsul Khamis<sup>4</sup> and Mohd Salleh Daim<sup>3</sup>

2 Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia 3 Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah

4 School of Environmental & Natural Resource Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,

[1] Lowman MD. Ecotourism and the treetops. In: Lowman MD, Rinker HB, editors. Forest

[2] Cole DN, Knight RL. Impacts of recreation on biodiversity in wilderness. Natural

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#### 4. Conclusion

Pahang National Park is visited by many local and international tourists, which through their activities would lead to the implications on forest conditions. Therefore, measurement of light intensity and soil compaction assessed in Pahang National Park will surely shed new insight on protected forest management in Malaysia. This study revealed that ecotourism activities have a significant influence on light intensity and soil compaction within three study sites. Based on the findings, there was significant difference between natural area and trekking trail. Study also found there is no significant difference on camping area vs. natural area and camping area vs. trekking trail for light intensity, while in the context of soil compaction, from the multiple comparison test, there was a significant difference between camping area and trekking trail and natural area and trekking trail. No significant difference found between camping area and natural area. Thus, trekking trail was found the most influenced by the ecotourism activities compared to the camping area. And the natural area was classified as the undisturbed condition and used as the control plots. It is clear that to fill the void in our knowledge, study should be done to learn more about the trend of ecotourism influence to the forest area of Pahang National Park. The number of sample for camping area needs to be increased, and relationship between the frequency of visitors and the influences on variables should be looked thoroughly.

#### Acknowledgements

We thank the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) for supporting this study through Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS). We would like to thank the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) for granting permission to use Pahang National Park for the study area. Special thanks go to Professor Dr. Yap Bee Wah, a statistician of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), for her support and explanation on the statistical parts, and finally to my research assistants who aided during the field data collection.
