The Biodiversity and Ecology of Aquatic Plants at Tasik Chini, Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract

This study determines the distribution, abrmdance and relationships between Nelumbo nucifera and Cabombafurcata as well as to map out the distribution of the two most dominant aquatic plant species at Tasik Chini, Pahang, Malaysia. Ten sampling stations were selected and ten quadrats of 3x3 m were established at each sampling station on 2009 to July 2010. Data were analyzed to determine percentage cover of the two species, Nelumbo nucifera and Cabomba furcata in each quadrats and the biomass (chy weight) of each species was estimated. The water quality parameters using YSI multi probe in each station were also measured. Study on the mapping of distribution for Lepironia articulata and Pandanus helicopus includes all the twelve water bodies (namely Laut 1-12) in Tasik Chini. At every station, five coordinate sampling points for Global Positioning System (GPS) were recorded. At the same coordinate points recorded the depth of water were measured using a staff gauge with a maximum leugth of 5 m. The image ofTasik Chiin dated 10 September, 2007 captured by spot-5 was obtained from Malaysia Centre for Remote Sensing (1.1ACRES). Image processing was done in the laboratory using ERDAS Imagine 9.1 and ArcGis 9.2 software. The result indicates that a total of 73 from 100 quadrats showed the occmence of Cabomba furcata whilst the Nelumbo nucifera occurred in only three quadrates. Estimation of percentage cover of Cabombafurcata revealed 95.1% cover whilst the Nelumbo nucifera indicated a 4.9% overall cover. The total chy weight of Cabombafurcata was 7892.5 g whereas the Nelumbo nucifera indicated a chy weight of 237 g. The relationship between the two species with the water quality parameters were amlyzed using the Reduudancy Analysis (RDA). The RDA indicated that the parameter ofN"}L-N, PO/, ISS, BOD and COD influenced the distribution and abrmdance of Cabombafurcata however, the distribution and abrmdance of Nelumbo nucifera were influenced by parameters of namely NH4-N, SO/, N03·, temperature and DO. This study clearly shows that the water parameters influence the distribution and abrmdance of the two populations of Cabombafurcata andNelumbo nucifera. From the image processing both species Lepironia articulata and Pandanus helicopus appear in the whole lake, except Laut 4 and 5. Lepironia articulata was formd mostly at the shallow waters where as Pandanus helicopus was formd at both shallow and deep areas. Key