The Effect of recreational trail on the distribution of selected herbaceous plants and soil compaction in Tambunan Rafflesia Centre, Tambunan

Kou, Freddie Ting Kok @ Thomas (2006) The Effect of recreational trail on the distribution of selected herbaceous plants and soil compaction in Tambunan Rafflesia Centre, Tambunan. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

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Abstract

Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve has a facility known as Tambunan Rafflesia center which caters for mass tourism. The objective of this research is to determine effect of recreational trail by looking at soil compaction and distribution of selected herbaceous plants along a recreational trail in lower montane forest. The methods used in this research are a) soil bulk density study, and b) point frequency method. The findings of this research confirm that recreational trail has a negative impact on the lower montane forest ecosystem, but only up to about 25 cm from trail center. From this research the soil bulk density along recreational trail is 0.55 gcm⁻³ and reduces to about 0.32 gcm⁻³ off the trail. This research also shows that there is a negative impact on Pothos sp. and Anadendrum sp .. due to the recreational trail. Off the recreational trail the impact on the aroid is not noticeable. Furthermore, this research shows that Pothos sp. is frequently found along the recreational trail and is more dominant than Anadendrum sp .. From this research, tourism activity along recreational trail has a negative impact on highland forest as it increases the soil compaction and changes the distribution of certain herbaceous plants. The natural features such as the trail steepness and waterlogged condition enhance recreational trail impact onto the forest ecosystem. As such, diversification of TRC's tourists' attractions is a possible mitigation towards this issue.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Keyword: recreational trail, soil compaction, herbaceous plants, lower montane forest
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history
Department: FACULTY > Faculty of Science and Natural Resources
Depositing User: MUNIRA BINTI MARASAN -
Date Deposited: 09 Feb 2018 15:00
Last Modified: 09 Feb 2018 15:00
URI: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/18754

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