Diversity and tree species community at Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, Kuala Lumpur

The diversity of tree species can be used as an indicator to a successful community because different species have different contribution to the forest ecosystem. The goal of this study was to quantify the diversity of tree species at different elevations by measuring trees in two 20m × 20m plots that was subdivided into four 10 m × 10 m each which were randomly located at two different elevations at study area. A total of 44 individuals which belong to 10 families and 15 species were collected from Suboh Trail (44.2m) while a total of 41 individuals which belong to 14 families and 16 species were collected from Jelutong Trail (225m) of Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, Kuala Lumpur. The abundance species at both trails was Gymnacranthera bancana with a total of 20 individuals. The species G. bancana showed the highest frequency of 16% at Jelutong Trail while Aporusa sp. contributed the highest frequency of 10.34% at Suboh Trail. Shannon Diversity Index and Evenness Index for Suboh Trail were 2.22 and 0.82, respectively. Shannon Diversity Index and Evenness Index for Jelutong Trail were 2.62 and 0.95, respectively. Both of the trails appeared to have low species diversity but it is apparent that the evenness in this study is high and most species are represented by more or less similar number of individuals. It is essential to have an economically and ecologically sound management plan in order to make the forest reserve ecologically viable as well as an ecotourism destination.