Species composition, diversity and richness of pteridophytes were observed in three oil palm plantations of different age and management histories at Segamat, Johor using random sampling method. A total of 3762 individuals of pteridophytes consisting of 32 species belonging to 13 families from 20 genera were identified and recorded. Family Polypodiaceae, genera Microsorum and family Davalliaceae, genera Davallia contributed to the highest richness of species and were commonly found within the study area. The diversity index represented by Shannon Index, H’, is 2.51 whereas the computed evenness index is 0.72 for the overall pteridophytes species indicating a relatively high species distribution within the monoculture system. The species richness in Kg. Sri Rahmat oil palm plantation was found higher than Kg. Logah and Felda Medoi oil palm plantation with 2.15, 2.10 and 2.09 respectively. From the total recorded species of pteridophytes, the highest diversity is observed at the Kg. Sri Rahmat (H’=2.07) followed by Kg. Logah (H’=1.81) and Felda Medoi (H’=1.79). At Kg. Sri Rahmat, the species evenness is nearly even (EH=0.73) whereas at Kg. Logah and Felda Medoi, the species evenness was less significant different (EH=0.66 and EH=0.65). The type of fertilizer used, frequency of herbicide application and pruning activity at Kg. Sri Rahmat could potentially affect the diversity of pteridophytes species in the plantation. This highlights the potential of oil palm plantations owned by smallholders as an ecosystem support for the diversity of pteridophytes species. However, this may vary with different plantation age and management history.

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.  During a study near an ecotourism site, we recorded a melanistic Leopard Panthera pardus delacouri on top of Bukit Kudung in Jeli District.  This finding is considered important because the Indochinese Leopard P.p. delacouri is classified as Critically Endangered in the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  We hope that this record will foster conservation efforts in the area.

This research was conducted to study weeds composition and diversity with regards to management practices at three oil palm plantations in Segamat, Johor. Using nested quadrat sampling approach, a total of 19 families, 35 genera, 43 species and 4465 number of individuals of weeds species were found and recorded from the three plantations. The Shannon diversity index, H’ was 3.45 whereas the Evenness index, EH for the overall weeds species was 0.92. The highest weed diversity was observed at Kg. Sri Rahmat oil palm plantation (H’=3.11) located at the lowest elevation with the least herbicide application and pruning practices followed by Kg. Logah (H’=3.07) and Felda Medoi (H’=2.83). The overall species evenness for this study area was 0.92 indicating that the species distribution was relatively high in monoculture system. At Kg. Logah, the species evenness was almost totally even (EH=0.98) followed by Kg. Sri Rahmat (EH=0.97) and Felda Medoi (EH=0.93). Both family Poaceae and Rubiaceae contributed to the highest species richness within the study area. Therefore, the composition and diversity of weeds recorded from this research was relatively high. There were several factors that could potentially affect the weeds diversity such as farming system, age oil palm plantation, pruning treatment (canopy), management through usage of herbicide, type and usage of fertilizer and location of oil palm plantation based on different elevations. This study is essential for sustaining oil palm production through successful weed control using diversity data and management histories as an indicator.

A study on species composition, diversity and biomass of genera Dipterocarpus and Hopea at Bukit Bakar Forest Eco Park, Machang, Kelantan was conducted. A total of 5 ecological plots with measurement of 20 m x 20 m were established. All trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) less than 5.0 cm were tagged, measured and collected for specimen identifications and voucher specimen’s preparations. The floristic composition of Bukit Bakar Eco Park consists of 135 individuals represented by 1 family, 2 genera and 17 species. The most abundance species recorded was Dipterocarpus crinitus Dyer with 23 individuals were recorded. Dipterocarpus crinitus (Dipterocarpaceae) was the most important species according to Important Value index (IVi) calculated at IVi = 17.73%. Dipterocarpaceae was the most high species diversity according to Shannon Wiener Index, H’=2.02 (H’ max =2.30) for Dipterocarpus spp. and H’=1.90 (H’ max =1.94) for Hopea spp. and Simpson’s Index of Diversity for Dipterocarpus spp. is 0.85 and 0.86 for Hopea spp.. Whilst Hopea had a slightly higher Species Evenness Index (EH=0.98) compared to Dipterocarpus (EH=0.87). Total tree biomass estimation in the study area was at 145.18 t/ha.

Ecotourism plays a vital role in tourism industries and has become one of the effective practices towards conservation effort in the natural environment activity. Thus, it is important to know the concept of carrying capacity issues applied to the area pertaining to the visitors’ experiences, to ensure the benefits it brings to the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental sustainability of the area. The objective of this study was to identify the relationship of visitors’ experience and the protection of the natural resources at Gunung Stong State Park (GSSP) using the management framework of Visitor Experience and Resource Protection (VERP). This approach provided a set of management framework in order to manage the sustainable ecotourism in GSSP without abandoning the good manner of visitor experiences. A total of 35 respondents have participated in this pilot study and our result showed that the tourists’ satisfaction towards the GSSP was at moderate level. Therefore, the GSSP was suitable for nature tourism attraction. However, a proper management of the park is required whilst the biodiversity there is still intact. The management of GSSP can be further improved by instilling awareness among visitors in order to sustain the ecotourism activity, and attract more tourists besides improving their experience throughout their visit.