Species diversity of pteridophytes in oil palm plantations at Segamat, Johor

Abstract

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.

Characteristic of the material deposits, microclimate profile, epiphyte abundance, and bacteria populations in the above-ground ecosystem of oil palm

“…The dominant fern in the upper part of the oil palm trunk (> 200 cm) was Nephrolepis bisserata, but other species were identified in the middle and lower part (Figure 11) in line with the study of Saharizan et al (2021). Epiphytic ferns can grow by utilizing nutrients from the slowly decomposing organic material in the leaf pockets (Richardson and Walker 2010), fixing nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, and intercepted water (Hietz et al 1999).…”

“…Furthermore, Nephrolepis bisserata was the dominant species, where the material deposit had a higher C/N ratio and a more humid environment (Figure 11). Unlike other fern species, it is more tolerant of less fertile growing mediums, as previously described by Saharizan et al (2021) and Satriawan et al (2021).…”

“…Table 1 showed that BS (eastern) had twice as many pteridophytes species as SM (western). According to Saharizan et al (2021), the diversity and abundance of ferns in an oil palm plantation are dependent the environment, the age of the host, and the agronomic practices applied. In addition, elevation significantly impacts fern distribution (Othman et al 2015), with Saharizan et al (2021) showing that terrestrial pteridophytes are more frequent in oil palm plantations at lower elevations.…”

“…According to Saharizan et al (2021), the diversity and abundance of ferns in an oil palm plantation are dependent the environment, the age of the host, and the agronomic practices applied. In addition, elevation significantly impacts fern distribution (Othman et al 2015), with Saharizan et al (2021) showing that terrestrial pteridophytes are more frequent in oil palm plantations at lower elevations. It supported the findings of this study, where pteridophyte species were substantially less numerous in SM (583 m a.s.l.)…”

Variation on morphology and spore characters of Dicranopteris and Sticherus (Gleicheniaceae) from Rokan Hulu District, Riau, Indonesia

“…A study to uncover ferns that were classified as threatened was carried out by Coritico and Amoroso (2020) which served as a basis for protection and conservation, as well as growing public awareness of the diversity of ferns that need to be protected. Recently, Saharizan et al (2021) investigated the species composition, diversity, and species richness of ferns in oil palm plantation areas in Segamat, Johor. One species belonging to the Gleicheniaceae that was recorded at the study sites was Dicranopteris linearis.…”