Loh, Voon Chin (2008) Ecology of Melastoma malabathricum L. in West Sabah. Universiti Malaysia Sabah. (Unpublished)
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Abstract
Melastoma malabathricum L. is a well known wayside shrub found commonly in Malaysia and is the commonest member in the family Melastomataceae. In this study, the distribution of M malabathricum in Klias Peat Swamp Forest and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Hill was studied and compared by using random selective sampling method. The soil properties such as moisture, organic content and pH of these two study sites were analyzed according British Standard laboratory manual. Growth rate of plants and flower visitor observation were also included in this study. The results showed that there was a significant difference in density between the two study sites (p<0.05). The density and coverage percentage of M malabathricum plants in Klias Peat Swamp Forest was higher than that of UMS Hill. In Klias Peat Swamp Forest, 524 individuals were found and the density was 1.40 plant/m2. There were 125 individuals found in UMS Hill and the density was 0.33 plant/m2. The moisture content, organic content and pH of soil in the two study sites also showed significant difference. The soil pH acidity, percentage of moisture and organic content of soil in Klias Peat Swamp Forest were higher than in UMS Hill. The density of plants had significant strong positive correlation relationship with moisture content (r= 0.667, p<0.05) and organic contents of soil samples (r= 0.554, p<0.05). However, the density of plants had significant strong negative correlation with soil pH (r= -0.615, p<0.05). Mean of tree growth rate were different in stem and branches. The growth rate of stem is faster compared to branches. Ants were the most common visitor to M malabathricum flowers. Insect activity was highest between 0700 to 1200hrs
| Item Type: | Academic Exercise |
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| Keyword: | Melastoma malabathricum L., Klias Peat Swamp Forest, wayside shrub, Melastomataceae, insect activity |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301-705.5 Biology (General) |
| Department: | SCHOOL > School of Science and Technology |
| Depositing User: | SITI AZIZAH BINTI IDRIS - |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Apr 2014 16:11 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Oct 2017 10:21 |
| URI: | https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/8683 |
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