UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

CORRELATION BETWEEN RIPARIAN VEGETATION CHARACTERISTICS AND WATER QUALITY IN SELECTED FOREST STANDS, MALAYSIA

AZLIZA BINTI MURAD

FH 2012 2

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CORRELATION BETWEEN RIPARIAN VEGETATION CHARACTERISTICS

AND WATER QUALITY IN SELECTED FOREST STANDS, MALAYSIA

By

AZLIZA BINTI MURAD

Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in

Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master Science

August 2012

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Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfillment of

the requirement for the degree of Master of Science

CORRELATION BETWEEN RIPARIAN VEGETATION CHARACTERISTICS

AND WATER QUALITY IN SELECTED FOREST STANDS, MALAYSIA

By

AZLIZA BINTI MURAD

AUGUST 2012

Chairman: Mohd Nazre bin Saleh, PhD

Faculty: Forestry

Riparian zones have been accounted as the most productive ecosystems and also one of

the most sensitive to human influences and potentially most threatened ecosystems.

Within production forest of Permanent Forest Reserve in Peninsular Malaysia buffer

zone is usually demarcated in the regulation, but the size of the buffer zones varies

depending on the state’s law and also the steepness and width of the stream. Despite

that, logging activities still contributed significantly to the degradation of riparian zones

due to the poor planning of logging roads and skidder trails.

The study was conducted in Pasoh Forest Reserve (PFR) and Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve

(AHFR). The main objectives of this study are to; 1) characterize the riparian plant

communities in lowland forest based on species composition, structure and diversity; 2)

assess the effect of logging activities and other disturbance on water quality and riparian

plant communities in lowland forest; and 3) correlate the composition, structure and

diversity of riparian vegetation with the water quality parameters.

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Three different types of forest were chosen for each site. For PFR; Compt. 47 has been

logged on October 2009; Compartment 55 was logged on 2005 and finally, undisturbed

forest of Compartment 51. While in AHFR, Compartment 15 and Compartment 13 were

logged over forest since 1950’s and Compartment 14 was a logged over forest since

1960’s. Water quality parameters were measured in each station by In-situ for Dissolved

Oxygen (DO) and pH and Ex-situ for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical

Oxygen Demand (COD), Ammonia Nitrogen (NH3N) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

to establish the current water quality status in particular river at both study sites.

Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) method was used to elucidate the

relationship between riparian plant communities with their adaptation to the stream

water quality and summarize the variation in the relative frequencies of the response

variables (species) (Leps and Smilauer, 2003). Additionally, Cluster Analysis by using

Bray-Curtis Similarity Coefficient was performed to establish a dendrogram inferring

similarity of species composition between those compartments. For water quality

analysis, One Way of Variance (ANOVA) and t-test were used to compare water quality

status among stations within study areas.

Results showed that a total of 1362 individual tree enumerated belonging to 308 species,

188 genera and 75 families were recorded in PFR. In AHFR however, the numbers were

lesser than PFR with 1217 individuals from 108 species, 89 genera and 51 families.

Composition of species showed that Pometia pinnata (Kasai) is the most abundant

species for trees while shrubs of Clidemia hirta (Senduduk bulu) is the most abundant

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shrubs in PFR. In AHFR, Saraca declinata (Gapis) is the most abundant tree while

Donax grandis (Bemban) is the most abundant for non tree species. For Importance

Value Index (IVI), the IVI based on family in PFR is contributed largely from

Sapindaceae with the value of 1.025 followed by Annonaceae (0.9682),

Dipterocarpaceae (0.7217), Leguminosae (0.5945) and Euphorbiaceae (0.5681). In

AHFR, the highest IVI based on family is recorded mostly by family Dipterocarpaceae

with the value of 0.8179 followed by Leguminosae (0.4570), Moraceae (0.4220),

Myristicaceae (0.3202) and Rubiaceae (0.2760). Similarly at species level, dipterocarp

tree play significant role in forming riparian plant communities.

The water quality status of Sebaling River, Marong Kiri River and Rasau River are

classified as class II which is suitable for recreational but need to be treated for supply of

domesticated water. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated that the

composition of riparian plant species is closely related to these environmental variables.

Based on this study, riparian plant communities have strong correlation with water

quality parameters depending on the forest types with major or minor disturbances like

logging history and anthropogenic disturbances. However, a better understanding can be

produce if the study can be extended for a longer period and the plot size should be

expanded for a bigger size which can be covered all types of riparian plants communities

along the streams including mosses.

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Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai

memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Master Sains

KORELASI ANTARA CIRI-CIRI VEGETASI RIPARIAN DAN KUALITI AIR

DI DIRIAN HUTAN TERPILIH DI MALAYSIA

By

AZLIZA BINTI MURAD

OGOS 2012

Pengerusi: Mohd Nazre bin Saleh, PhD

Fakulti: Perhutanan

Zon riparian adalah sebuah ekosistem yang produktif dan juga zon yang paling sensitif

dengan gangguan manusia dan berpotensi untuk menjadi ekosistem yang terancam. Di

dalam hutan pengeluaran di Hutan Simpan Kekal di Semenanjung Malaysia biasanya

ada dibataskan dalam undang-undang tetapi saiz zon penampan berbeza-beza

bergantung pada undang-undang negeri dan juga kecuraman dan kelebaran sungai.

Walaubagaimanapun, aktiviti pembalakan masih menyumbang kepada degradasi zon

riparian disebabkan perancangan yang kurang baik dan kesan dari jalan pembalakan dan

laluan jentolak.

Kajian telah dijalankan di Hutan Simpan Pasoh (HSP) dan Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam

(HSAH). Objektif utama kajian ini ialah untuk; 1) mengenali ciri-ciri komuniti

tumbuhan riparian dalam hutan tanah pamah daripada data komposisi spesis, struktur

dan kepelbagaian spesis; 2) menilai kesan aktiviti pembalakan ke atas komuniti

tumbuhan riparian dan kualiti air sungai dalam hutan tanah pamah; 3) mengaitkan

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komposisi, struktur dan kepelbagaian tumbuhan riparian dengan parameter kualiti air

dalam hutan tanah pamah.

Tiga jenis hutan berbeza telah dipilih untuk setiap tapak kajian. Untuk HSP;

Komparmen 47 telah dibalak pada Oktober 2009; Komparmen 55 pula telah dibalak

pada 2005 manakala, Komparmen 51 adalah hutan yang tak diganggu. Manakala di

HSAH, Komparmen 15 dan Komparmen 13 adalah hutan yang telah dibalak sejak 1950-

an manakala Komparmen 14 pula adalah hutan yang telah dibalak sejak 1960-an.

Parameter kualiti air diukur di setiap stesen dengan dua keadeh iaitu; kaedah In Situ

untuk Dissolved Oxygen (DO) dan pH dan kaedah Ex- situ pula untuk Biochemical

Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Ammonia Nitrogen

(NH3N) dan Total Suspended Solids (TSS) untuk menentukan status kualiti air semasa

khususnya sungai di kedua-dua tapak kajian.

Analisis Koresponden Kanonik (CCA) adalah analisis yang menunjukkan hubungan

antara komuniti tumbuhan riparian dan penyesuaiannya dalam kualiti air sungai tertentu

dan membuat ringkasan ke atas variasi dalam frekuensi relatif oleh pembolehubah-

pembolehubah sambutan (spesies) (Leps and Smilauer, 2003). Selain itu, Analisis

Kelompok juga digunakan dengan menggunakan Pekali Kesetaraan Bray Curtis dan

gambarajah dendrogram yang merujuk kepada persamaan komposisi spesies antara

hutan tanah. Untuk analisis kualiti air, Analisis Varians Satu Hala (ANOVA) dan Ujian

T digunakan untuk menghasilkan satu perbandingan antara status kualiti air antara

hutan-hutan yang berbeza berdasarkan sejarah pembalakan dalam kawasan tertentu.

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Keputusan menunjukkan sejumlah 1362 individu daripada 308 spesies, 188 genus dan

75 keluarga telah direkodkan di HSP. Manakala di HSAH, bilangannya adalah kurang

daripada HSP dengan hanya 1217 individu daripada 108 spesies, 89 genus dan 51

keluarga. Komposisi spesies menunjukkan Pometia pinnata (Kasai) ialah spesies yang

paling banyak bagi tumbuhan berkayu manakala Clidemia hirta (Senduduk bulu) ialah

spesies tidak berkayu yang paling banyak didapati di HSP. Di HSAH pula, Saraca

declinata (Gapis) ialah spesis berkayu yang paling banyak dicatatkan manakala Donax

grandis (Bemban) ialah spesis tidak berkayu yang paling banyak dicatatkan.

Untuk Indeks Nilai Kepentingan (IVI), IVI berdasarkan keluarga di HSP disumbangkan

sebahagian besarnya dari keluarga Sapindaceae dengan nilai 1.025 diikuti oleh

Annonaceae (0.9682), Dipterocarpaceae (0.7217), Leguminosae (0.5945) dan

Euphorbiaceae (0.5681). Compt. 47 di HSP, spesies Dipterocarp (Dipterocarpus baudii)

dengan IVI 0.2573 disenaraikan sebagai IVI yang tertinggi berdasarkan spesies.

Walaubagaimanapun, Compt. 55 di HSP, spesies dipterokap adalah kurang penting.

Tetapi, spesies tumbuhan riparian sebenar iaitu Saraca cauliflora menunjukkan IVI

tertinggi dengan satu nilai 0.3390. Sebagaimana Compt. 55, Compt. 51 menunjukkan

bahawa satu lagi spesies tumbuhan riparian sebenar, iaitu Pometia pinnata mempunyai

IVI tertinggi dengan 0.3647. Di HSAH, IVI tertinggi berdasarkan keluarga direkodkan

kebanyakannya oleh keluarga Dipterocarpaceae dengan nilai 0.8179 diikuti oleh

Leguminosae (0.4570), Moraceae (0.4220), Myristicaceae (0.3202) dan Rubiaceae

(0.2760). Begitu juga di tahap spesies, pokok dipterokap memainkan peranan penting

dalam membentuk komuniti-komuniti tumbuhan riparian.

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Indeks kualiti air (WQI) untuk setiap stesen di Sungai Sebaling, Sungai Marong Kiri dan

Sungai Rasau tergolong dalam kelas II dimana ianya sesuai untuk rekreasi tetapi perlu

dirawat untuk bekalan air. Analisis Koresponden Kanonik (CCA) menunjukkan bahawa

komposisi spesies tumbuhan riparian adalah sangat berhubungkait dengan

pembolehubah persekitaran.

Berdasarkan kajian ini, komuniti tumbuhan riparian mempunyai hubungkait yang erat

dengan parameter kualiti air bergantung kepada jenis hutan dengan gangguan kecil atau

besar seperti sejarah pembalakan dan gangguan dan pencerobohan oleh aktiviti manusia.

Bagaimanapun, pemahaman yang lebih baik boleh dihasilkan jika kajian dapat

dipanjangkan untuk satu tempoh lebih lama dan saiz plot harus diperbesarkan untuk satu

saiz yang lebih besar yang mana boleh meliputi semua jenis komuniti tumbuhan riparian

sepanjang sungai-sungai termasuk lumut.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the name of Allah SWT, the most Benevolent and most Merciful

First of all I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to my

supervisor and co-supervisor, Dr. Mohd Nazre bin Saleh and Dr. Mohamad Roslan bin

Mohamad Kasim for their invaluable help, dedicated efforts, guidance, suggestions and

construction critisms throughout this study.

I would also like to express my appreciation to Mr. Shamsul Khamis from Biodiversity

Unit, Bioscience Institute and Mr. Kamaruddin from Forest Research Institute Malaysia

for their valuable help, advice, suggestions and constructive comments.

The continuous support given by Faculty of Forestry, UPM particularly all lecturers,

herbarium staffs and friends were always be appreciated. I also would like to

acknowledge Herbarium FRIM, Herbarium Faculty of Forestry and Herbarium

Bioscience Institute for their permission to conduct this study.

Finally, I express my deepest appreciation to my family and friends for their continuous

support and patience during the entire study period.

May Allah SWT Bless You All

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This thesis was submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia and has been

accepted as fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science. The

members of the Supervisory Committee were as follows:

Mohd Nazre Saleh, PhD

Faculty of Forestry

Universiti Putra Malaysia

(Chairman)

Mohamad Roslan Mohamad Kasim, PhD Faculty of Forestry

Universiti Putra Malaysia

(Member)

___________________________

BUJANG BIN KIM HUAT, PhD

Professor and Dean

School of Graduate Studies

Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date:

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DECLARATION

I declare that the thesis is my original work except for quotations and citations which

have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously, and is not

concurrently, submitted for any other degree at Universiti Putra Malaysia or at any other

institution.

______________________

AZLIZA BINTI MURAD

Date:

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TABLE OF CONTENT

Page

ABSTRACT ii

ABSTRAK v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ix

LIST OF TABLES xv

LIST OF FIGURES xvii

LIST OF ABBREVIATION xx

CHAPTER

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Problem Statement and Objectives of the Study 5

1.3 Scope and Limitations of the Study 7

2 LITERATURE REVIEW 9

2.1 Riparian zones 9

2.1.1 Defining and Delineating Riparian Zones 9

2.1.2 Riparian Habitats in Malaysia 13

2.1.3 Function of Riparian Zones 15

2.1.4 Human Alterations 17

2.1.5 Management and Restoration 20

2.2 Riparian Vegetation 21

2.2.1 Morphological and Physiological Adaptation 22

2.2.2 Reproductive Adaptations 23

2.2.3 Riparian Vegetation and Streambank Stability 24

2.3 Degradation of River Water Quality 25

2.3.1 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 29

2.3.2 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 30

2.3.3 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) 31

2.3.4 Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3N) 32

2.3.5 pH 33

2.3.6 Total Suspended Solid (TSS) 34

2.3.7 Water Quality Index (WQI) 35

2.4 Water Quality and Riparian Vegetation 38

3 MATERIALS AND METHODS 40

3.1 Study Site 40

3.2 Plot Setup 46

3.2.1 Vegetation Plot 46

3.3 Data Collection 48

3.3.1 Riparian Vegetation Samples 48

3.3.2 Water Quality Analysis 48

3.4 Statistical Analysis 56

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 58

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4.1 Introduction 58

4.2 Riparian Plant Composition and Abundances 58

4.2.1 Abundances of Riparian Plant Community

Based on Types 65

4.2.2 Abundances of Riparian Plant Community

Based on Taxa 69

4.2.3 Composition of True Riparian Species 71

4.2.4 Species Diversity, Species Richness and Species

Evenness 77

4.2.5 Relative Dominance of Riparian Plant Communities 80

4.2.6 Importance Value Index (IVI) Based On Species 87

4.3 Water Quality Index (DOE-WQI) Between Compartments 93

4.3.1 Comparison of WQI Attributes Between

PFR and AHFR 99

4.4 Relationship of Water Quality Parameters with Species

Diversity Attributes 103

4.4.1 Riparian Species and Water Quality Parameter in PFR 105

4.4.2 Riparian Species and Water Quality Parameter in AHFR 108

5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 113

5.1 Summary 113

5.2 Recommendations 117

REFERENCES 119

APPENDICES 129

Appendix 1A 129

Appendix 1B 140

Appendix 2A 144

Appendix 2B 152

Appendix 3A 155

Appendix 3B 157

Appendix 4A 159

Appendix 4B 160

Appendix 5A 161

Appendix 5B 166

Appendix 6A 171

Appendix 6B 173

BIODATA OF STUDENT 174