**5. Endangered species conservation**

Conservation assessments of plants in Peninsular Malaysia initiated in 2005 found that 411 (42.2%) of the taxa to be in conservation concern categories from about 975 species. Based on conservation assessments of vascular plants conducted by Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), a total of 975 taxa were analyzed. The assessments consisted of families of ferns, lyco-

**Table 1** provides a summary of possible threat that encountered by the flora from Peninsular Malaysia. In these assessments, Dipterocarpaceae represents a family for a large timber tree, Begoniaceae and Zingiberaceae represent herbs and understory plants, Nepenthaceae represents climbers, and Begoniaceae and Zingiberaceae represent ferns and lycophytes, respectively. From the assessments, it was found that four species are classified as extinct (EX), which is about 0.4% of the taxa assessed. These include *Oreogrammitis crispatula* Parris, *O. kunstleri* Parris (both are ferns from Grammitidaceae family), *Begonia eiromischa* (woolly-stalked begonia [from Begoniaceae family]), and *Shorea kuantanensis* (Meranti damar hitam [from Dipterocarpaceae family]) [5]. It was possible that the development in their habitats which

A total of 97 taxa or nearly 10% of taxa assessed were listed as critically endangered (CR) classification. Other species classified as CR categories are *D. coriaceus* (Keruing paya), *Parashorea globosa* (Gerutu pasir daun besar), and *Hopea bilitonesis*, all of which can be only found in Perak. The *D. sarawakensis* (Keruing layang) is only found in Terengganu, *H. subalata* (Merawan kanching) in Selangor, and *H. auriculata* in Johor, Pahang, and Perak. Meanwhile, 133 (13.6%) of taxa were classified as endangered (EN), 148 (15.2%) were classified as vulnerable (VU), and 29 (3.0%) were listed as rare (RA). Another 182 (18.7%) of the species were classified as near threatened (NT), 327 (33.5%) were listed as least concern (LC), and 55 (5.6%) as data deficient (DD) which means that there is insufficient information for a proper assessment of conservation status to be made. The findings for the percentage of species in each of

**Conservation status Number of taxa Percentage (%)**

Extinct (EX) 4 0.4 Critically endangered (CR) 97 10.0 Endangered (EN) 133 13.6 Vulnerable (VU) 148 15.2 Rare (RA) 29 3.0 **Total conservation concern taxa 411 42.2** Near threatened (NT) 182 18.7 Least concern (LC) 327 33.5 Data deficient (DD) 55 5.6 **Total 975 100**

**Table 1.** Conservation status assessment for selected plants of Peninsular Malaysia in 2012 [5].

involved the conversion of land cover was the cause of their extinction.

phytes, gymnosperms, dicots, and monocots.

6 National Parks - Management and Conservation

Tree species are categorized as endangered when they have limited geographic distribution, small population sizes, and specific habitat requirements. They suffered reductions in their population sizes due to over exploitation in habitats which results in loss in genetic variation within population. In Malaysia, five tree species from the family of Dipterocarpaceae, viz., *D. semivestitus* (Keruing padi), *Vatica flavida* (Resak padi), *H. apiculata* (Resak melukut), *S. hemsleyana* (Chengal pasir daun besar), and *S. macrantha* (Meranti kepong hantu), have been reported to have restricted distribution in the 12.4-ha freshwater swamp forest in part of Parit Forest Reserve at the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) campus in Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia. Much of the area has been developed into urban settlements leaving small fragments of isolated forests in the area. An ongoing study is conducted to determine the demographic structure of the five endangered species and to map the spatial distribution of the five species [6, 7]. UiTM in collaboration with FRIM monitors the physiology and phenology of trees in the area.

A geographic information system (GIS) was used to analyze the geographic distribution of the endangered species. This was done by overlying the spatial location of endangered species onto the image of habitat areas. The purpose is not only to visualize the present data but also to analyze how the trees are spatially distributed in the landscape. This will allow the researchers to address a critical issue in monitoring the endangered species and in identifying priorities for protected area management with regard to boundaries of reserves.

The spatial distribution of five endangered species is shown in **Figure 1**. From the map, the distribution of four species, i.e., *D. semivestitus*, *S. macrantha*, *H. apiculata*, and *V. flavida*, in the landscape is appeared to be spatially dispersed. However, the spatial distribution of *S. hemsleyana* appears to be more localized compared to other species. It is important to note that many of the species appear to be located at the forest edges. Forest edges are prone to disturbance and experience more dramatic environmental changes. For instance, wind and sun dry out the forest edges which results in elimination of water sources for this sensitive habitat of freshwater swamp forest. Forest edges are also more exposed to vegetation clearing and urban development. Therefore, to address the further decline of biodiversity of tree species, it is essential that conservation plan be incorporated in the campus development plan and more efforts be undertaken to conserve the threatened habitat and species.

From the field survey, for *S. hemsleyana* the highest number of individuals discovered in the study area is recorded (i.e., 198), followed by *D. semivestitus* (35), *S. macrantha* (24), *H. apiculata*, (14) and *V. flavida* (6) (**Table 2**). For *D. semivestitus*, the number of individuals found has reduced from what was previously reported. Chua et al. [8] earlier reported that a total of 53 trees were

located in this area. The loss of 18 *D. semivestitus* individuals was due to an illegal logging in the area which took place in 2012 and lightning strike in May 2014. Historical records reported that the species grows on in two places, Parit Forest Reserve (the study location) and Murabahah district, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia [9]. However, the population in Kalimantan has gone extinct as the area has been converted into oil palm plantations. Therefore, the freshwater

**Table 2.** Conservation status assessment for five endangered species in the freshwater swamp forest of Parit Forest

**Tree species Number of individual Malaysia Red List categories\* Malaysia Red List criteria\***

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*D. semivestitus* 35 CR A4bc, C1 *V. flavida* 6 CR A4c, B2ab(ii) *H. apiculata* 14 EN B1b(iii) + c(ii) *S. hemsleyana* 198 CR A4c, D2 *S. macrantha* 24 EN B1b(iii) + c(ii)

As one of 12th mega diversity countries, Malaysia is the home to the most endangered species in the world. The list of threatened species of Dipterocarpaceae has been initiated for Malaysia with a publication of the *Malaysia Plant Red List* [8]. The list has the most comprehensive national threatened tree species under this family thus far, and the first of such is prepared by the Malaysian botanists working together. This Red List is used to classify Peninsular Malaysian Dipterocarpaceae species at high risk of extinction for an assessment at the national level. It covers dipterocarp taxa that are indigenous to Peninsular Malaysia and taxa that are common to the Peninsula and East Malaysia (i.e., Sabah and Sarawak). Based on the *Malaysia Plant Red List*, of the five species, *D. semivestitus*, *V. flavida*, and *S. hemsleyana* are categorized as CR, whereas *H. apiculata* and *S. macrantha* are classified as EN (**Table 2**). Nevertheless, all five species discovered at freshwater swamp forests of Parit Forest Reserve,

In view of the decline in the population of endangered species, conservation measures for the species are urgently needed. Involving stakeholders and local communities in biodiversity conservation efforts can be the key success of a project. This can be achieved by raising awareness of the public and policy makers. The commitments and efforts of stakeholders to support the monitoring and maintenance of ex situ collection are particularly crucial for species that occur on the private land, as demonstrated in the abovementioned

swamp forest in Parit Forest Reserve is likely the last population in the world.

Perak, are rare and threatened species.

Notes: CR, critically endangered; EN, endangered

Reserve, UiTM, Seri Iskandar Campus, Perak, Malaysia [6, 7].

\*

Based on Chua et al. [8]

**6. Conclusion**

case study.

**Figure 1.** Spatial distribution of five critically endangered species of Dipterocarpaceae at freshwater swamp forest of Parit Forest Reserve, UiTM, Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia [6, 7].


**Table 2.** Conservation status assessment for five endangered species in the freshwater swamp forest of Parit Forest Reserve, UiTM, Seri Iskandar Campus, Perak, Malaysia [6, 7].

located in this area. The loss of 18 *D. semivestitus* individuals was due to an illegal logging in the area which took place in 2012 and lightning strike in May 2014. Historical records reported that the species grows on in two places, Parit Forest Reserve (the study location) and Murabahah district, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia [9]. However, the population in Kalimantan has gone extinct as the area has been converted into oil palm plantations. Therefore, the freshwater swamp forest in Parit Forest Reserve is likely the last population in the world.

As one of 12th mega diversity countries, Malaysia is the home to the most endangered species in the world. The list of threatened species of Dipterocarpaceae has been initiated for Malaysia with a publication of the *Malaysia Plant Red List* [8]. The list has the most comprehensive national threatened tree species under this family thus far, and the first of such is prepared by the Malaysian botanists working together. This Red List is used to classify Peninsular Malaysian Dipterocarpaceae species at high risk of extinction for an assessment at the national level. It covers dipterocarp taxa that are indigenous to Peninsular Malaysia and taxa that are common to the Peninsula and East Malaysia (i.e., Sabah and Sarawak). Based on the *Malaysia Plant Red List*, of the five species, *D. semivestitus*, *V. flavida*, and *S. hemsleyana* are categorized as CR, whereas *H. apiculata* and *S. macrantha* are classified as EN (**Table 2**). Nevertheless, all five species discovered at freshwater swamp forests of Parit Forest Reserve, Perak, are rare and threatened species.

#### **6. Conclusion**

**Figure 1.** Spatial distribution of five critically endangered species of Dipterocarpaceae at freshwater swamp forest of

Parit Forest Reserve, UiTM, Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia [6, 7].

8 National Parks - Management and Conservation

In view of the decline in the population of endangered species, conservation measures for the species are urgently needed. Involving stakeholders and local communities in biodiversity conservation efforts can be the key success of a project. This can be achieved by raising awareness of the public and policy makers. The commitments and efforts of stakeholders to support the monitoring and maintenance of ex situ collection are particularly crucial for species that occur on the private land, as demonstrated in the abovementioned case study.

The establishment of protected areas is extremely important in particular for endangered species and sensitive habitats and should be included as one of the key issues of sustainable development elsewhere. However, they need to be better located and actively managed to deal with problems of such as illegal logging, human settlements, unsustainable tourism, encroachment, and challenges in climate change. Unfortunately, in some countries, the protected areas are managed by different networks and governed by different laws with varying degrees of protection status. Therefore, each country should establish uniform national protected areas system operating in the country. Regardless of values and benefits of protected areas, implementation of effective management and conservation strategies aimed at maintaining or restoring these benefits are deemed necessary.

[8] Chua LS, Suhaida M, Hamidah M, Saw LG. Malaysia Plant Red List: Peninsular Malaysia Dipterocarpaceae. Research Pamphlet No. 129. Malaysia: Forest Research Institute

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[9] Ashton PS, editors. Dipterocarpaceae. Flora Malesiana Series. Vol. 1(9). Kuala Lumpur:

Malaysia and Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment; 2010. 30 p

Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM); 1982. pp. 237-552
