Habitat and edaphic preference of Rafflesia R. Br. plant communities in Royal Belum State Park, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the relationship between the microhabitat conditions and soil physico-chemical characters of Rafflesia plant communities and to determine similarities across Rafflesia habitats in Royal Belum State Park, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia. Methodology: The site of Rafflesia population and its microhabitat condition was collected by referring to the previous studies, in addition to interviewing the related parties. A plot study was constructed in each Rafflesia habitat in Royal Belum State Park, Perak and the soil sample was collected for estimating their characteristics. Results: Rafflesia population is distributed between 207 - 386 m asl, with the surface slope of 8 to 58° and located 1.0-450.0 m from nearby water sources. The percentage of clay has a strong influence in X-Ray and distance to water source affected the habitat in Sg. Ruok-Papan. Ca2+ was an important soil component in Sg. Kooi while in Sg. Gadong 2 and Sg. Selantan, nitrogen was the most important soil attribute. The dendrogram reveals Sg. Kooi and Sg. Gadong 1 were the most similar habitats while Sg. Ruok differed significantly in terms of the microhabitat and soil physicochemical conditions tested. Interpretation: This study shows that different plant communities favoured different conditions in terms of microhabitat condition and the physico-chemical characteristics of soil, despite being located within the same forest range. Since this study covered only small forest range, large sampling size which cover different forest area is needed to come to a conclusion regarding preference of Rafflesia plant communities towards its habitat.

Soil Physico-Chemistry in the Habitat of Rafflesia in Kinabalu Park, Sabah, Malaysia.

“…Meanwhile, soil texture that comprised of sand, clay and silt did not show any significant differences between the plots (p>0.05). The soil moisture in the study area is slightly higher when compared to the lower soil moisture in Royal Belum State Park (RBSP) (3.81-7.13%) (Nur Hayati et al, 2021). The soil in the study area was found to be less fertile due to low SOM value (Subowo, 2010;Tangketasik et al, 2012) when compared with the findings of Nur Hayati et al, (2021), with 2.30-8.17% and Nasihah (2016) with 2.36-4.19% in Lojing Highlands, Kelantan.…”

“…The soil moisture in the study area is slightly higher when compared to the lower soil moisture in Royal Belum State Park (RBSP) (3.81-7.13%) (Nur Hayati et al, 2021). The soil in the study area was found to be less fertile due to low SOM value (Subowo, 2010;Tangketasik et al, 2012) when compared with the findings of Nur Hayati et al, (2021), with 2.30-8.17% and Nasihah (2016) with 2.36-4.19% in Lojing Highlands, Kelantan. A high level of SOM can help improve soil aggregates to reduce soil permeability to water (Zulfahmi et al, 2007).…”

“…The plots were circular, with a radius of 20 metres (Figure 3), and they were established by applying the placement of a Rafflesia's host in the plots as point zero (Nur Hayati et al, 2021). The total area of all surveyed plots was 0.6285 ha -1 (0.1257 hectares).…”

“…The total area of all surveyed plots was 0.6285 ha -1 (0.1257 hectares). An auger was used to collect soil samples at a depth of 20cm, at random, with a total of nine replications per plot (Nur Hayati et al, 2021). The soil samples were stored in plastic bags (Sarker et al, 2018) and were processed in the Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah for soil analyses.…”

“…Both Tetrastigma and Rafflesia are often found in slightly rocky and sandy habitats (Balete et al, 2010;Barcelona et al, 2007). Several studies have recorded that the soils in their habitats were slightly acidic (Nasihah, 2016;Nur Hayati et al, 2021) to almost neutral (Ali et al, 2015;Laksana et al, 2018;Lianah, 2014). The high acidity level of the soil significantly affects the types and amount of chemicals in the soil.…”