PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF A SALT LICK AT SUNGAI BETIS FOREST RESERVE, KELANTAN, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Salt licks, locally known as ‘jenut’, are areas with accumulated minerals such as sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca). The characterization of physicochemical properties is crucial to be done as it links to the wildlife ecosystem and need to be protected from destruction. The objectives of this study are to characterize the physicochemical properties of soils from natural mineral salt licks at Sg. Betis Forest Reserve, Gua Musang, Kelantan and to study the relationship between soil physicochemical properties and its elevation as well as to determine the correlation between measured soil physicochemical properties. The overall finding shows that the soil is sandy loam with acidic pH (4.39 - 6.52). It has high Organic Matter % (> 80) and Gravimetric Water Content % (104.43). The minerals concentration is high (Na = 2506.67 mg/L, Mg = 29.085 mg/L, K = 63.43 mg/L, and Ca = 21.54 mg/L). There is no significant difference between each subplot except for Water Filled Pore Space % with P value = 0.039. The result indicates that the salt lick area at Sg. Betis Forest Reserve is having high minerals concentration as the other previous salt lick studies where areas like this need to be managed sustainably for wildlife conservation.