Species diversity of pteridophytes in oil palm plantations at Segamat, Johor

Abstract

Species composition, diversity and richness of pteridophytes were observed in three oil palm plantations of different age and management histories at Segamat, Johor using random sampling method. A total of 3762 individuals of pteridophytes consisting of 32 species belonging to 13 families from 20 genera were identified and recorded. Family Polypodiaceae, genera Microsorum and family Davalliaceae, genera Davallia contributed to the highest richness of species and were commonly found within the study area. The diversity index represented by Shannon Index, H', is 2.51 whereas the computed evenness index is 0.72 for the overall pteridophytes species indicating a relatively high species distribution within the monoculture system. The species richness in Kg. Sri Rahmat oil palm plantation was found higher than Kg. Logah and Felda Medoi oil palm plantation with 2.15, 2.10 and 2.09 respectively. From the total recorded species of pteridophytes, the highest diversity is observed at the Kg. Sri Rahmat (H'=2.07) followed by Kg. Logah (H'=1.81) and Felda Medoi (H'=1.79). At Kg. Sri Rahmat, the species evenness is nearly even (EH=0.73) whereas at Kg. Logah and Felda Medoi, the species evenness was less significant different (EH=0.66 and EH=0.65). The type of fertilizer used, frequency of herbicide application and pruning activity at Kg. Sri Rahmat could potentially affect the diversity of pteridophytes species in the plantation. This highlights the potential of oil palm plantations owned by smallholders as an ecosystem support for the diversity of pteridophytes species. However, this may vary with different plantation age and management history.