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.