,lcrtallikaj. Trop. Agric. Sci. 24(1): 1-5 (2001) ISSN: 1511-3701© Uni\'ersiti Putra t\lala}'sia Press

Weedy Plants of Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Selangor

M. ASYRAF and M. MASHHORSchool of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia

Keywords: Aquatic, terrestrial, weeds, Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve

ABSTRAK

Ilutan SimjJan Ayer Hitam berkemungkinan menghadapi masalah ancaman spesies rumpai dari kawasan yangmembangun di sekitarnya. Jumlah takson rumpai yangdikenal pasti daTi hutan ini adalah 33 spesies, 29 genusdan 13 famili. Daripada jumlah ini hanya dua merupakan spesies rumpai akuatik iaitu Ceratopteristhalictroides (Parkeriaceae) dan Hydrilla vertieillata (Hydrocharitaceae). Spesies rumpai terestrial yang palingdominan di hutan ini pula adalah Clidemia hirta (Melastomataceae) dan Chromolaena odorata (Compositae).Semua sjJesies rumput dan sedge direkodkan di kawasan kajian terganggu sahaja. Mimosa pigra hanya terdapatdi kawasan yang sangat terganggu sahaja di sempadan hutan.

ABSTRACf

The Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve has possibly been under constant threat from invasive species especially the weedsfrom surrounding development sites. The total number of weed taxa identified from this forest were 33 species, 29genera and J3 families. Of these taxa, only two species aquatic weeds vizs., Ceratopteris thalictroides(Parkeriaceae) and Hydrilla venieillata (Hydrocharitaceae). The most dominant terrestrial weedy speeies in thisforest were Clidemia hirta (Melastomataceae) and Chromalaena odorata (Compositae). All grasses and sedges!lIJi~si,~s were recorded at the disturbed sampling sites only..'1imosa pigra was only found at the most disturbed sitebordering the forest.

INTRODUCfION

Many aquatic plant species which have medici­nal and ornamental values are on the brink ofextinction due to development and disturbancesof their natural habitats. For example, the ever­lasting threat of anthropogenic disturbances havegradually decreased the Cryptocoryne populations(Kiew 1990). In addition, the invasion of aquaticweed population such as Hydrilla verticillaLa hasdisplaced the original populations of these en­demic species.

The concept of weeds has emerged sincethe beginning of human civilization when manlearn to grow their very own food (Mercado1979). There are amny definitions of weeds butthe definition used herein is a plant out ofplace, unwanted and posses no importance forhuman (Bailey 1941, Anon 1956). An exampleis Eichh017lia crassipes, the water hyacinth whichhas been the centre of attention of many aquaticweed scientists due to its ability to colonize lakesand ponds in many areas of the world. Theintrusion of this species into any pristine ordisturbed areas has proved to create problems.

Another aquatic weed which is considered anuisance is Hydrilla venicillata. This submergedweed species has been found to be very prob­lematic not only in Malaysia but also in manytropical countries (Cheam 1974, Anwar 1978,Gopal 1990,jacobsen 1990, Masshor and Masnadi1994) .

METHODOLOGY

A field survey was conducted from 4lh to 51h May2000 at the Ayer Hitam Forest, which covers1248 ha of logged-over mixed dipretocarp forestin Puchong, Selangor. This relatively small andgreen area has been the centre of forestry re­search and development for Universiti PutraMalaysia since 1996 (Faridah Hanurn 1999). Atotal of six sampling sites which were dividedinto undisturbed and disturbed areas were iden­tified. The undisturbed areas were Sungai Rasau,Sungai Bohol and a pool in Sungai Rasau. Thedisturbed areas were the 3km logging trail, base­camp and part of Sungai Rasau that flows througha nearby construction site (Figure 1).

M. ASYRAF and M. MASHHOR

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Fig. 1. Sampling siUs at Ayer Hitam Farest Reserve, Selangor

All aquatic and terrestrial weeds locatedwithin the sampling sites were recorded andcollected as herbarium specimens. All specimenswere deposited at the Herbarium, School ofBiological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia,Penang. The abundance of weeds were deter­mined by the Braun-Blanquet method (1932).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 13 families, 29 genera and 33 speciesof plants were recorded in the survey (Table 1).From the survey conducted only two aquaticweeds, Ceratopteris thalictroides and Hydrillaverticillata were found to be abundantly distrib­uted along the di turbed area of Sg. Rasau. The

dominant terrestrial weedy species recorded wereClidemia hirla and Chromolaena odorata. These twospecies were found to be relatively abundant atall disturbed sampling sites. Several populationsof the noxious weedy species Mimosa pigra flour­ish at the construction site only (Table 1) whilegrasses and sedges species were recorded fromall the disturbed sites surveyed (Table 1).

The low number of aquatic weedy speciesrecorded in the area was probably due to thephysical conditions of the forest. Sg. Rasau andSg. Bohol are fast flowing rivers, thus the habi­tats are not suitable for the colonization of manyaquatic plants especially a floating one whichneeds a tagnant condition. Strong current can

2 PERTANlKAJ. TROP. AGRIe. SCI. VOL. 24 NO.1, 2001

lAtlLt. 1Abundance of weeds taxa in Ayer Hitam Forest Resen'e, Selangor

Vegetation sun·eyed using Braun-Blanquct (1932) cover scale: (1) vegetation cover < 5%. (2) 5% ~ vegetation cover < 25%, (3) 25% :5; vegetation co\'er <50%, (4) 50% :5; vegetation cover < 75%, (5) 75% :5; vegetation co\'er :5; 100%.

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AquaticParkeriaccacHydrocharitaceacB;oadleafAcan thaceaeAcanthaceaeCompositaeCompositacCompositacDilleniaceaeEuphorbiaccaeEu phorbiaceaeLeguminosacLeguminosacLeguminosaeLeguminosacMelastomataceaeMelastomataceaeOxalidaceaeRubiaceaeRubiaceaeScrophulariaceaeGrassesGramineaeGramineaeGramineacGramineaeGramineaeGramineaeGramineaeGramineaeGramineaeSedgesCyperaceae

CyperaceaeCyperaceaeCyperaceae

Species

Cemto/Jtnis thaliclroides (L.) Brongn.J-("drilla vmicillata (L.f.) Royle

As)'Stasia nemonun Jl\eesA~'stasia gangetira (L.) T. AndersonChromolaena odorata (1..) R.M. King & H. RobMikania mirrantha Kunth.Ageranturn con)'wides 1..Tftrarera sClmdens (L.) Merr.PhJllanthus amanlS Schumach. & Thonn.Croton hirlus L' Her.Desmodiurn hetrrophJllum (Willd.) DCMimosa pudira 1..Mimosa diplotricha C.Wright ex SauvalleMimosa pigra L.Clidernia hirla (L.) D. DonMelastoma malabathricurn L.Oxalis ramiculata L.Hedyotis corymbosa (1..) LamBorreria laevicaulis (Miq.) Rid\.Lindn71ia Cnlstacea (L.) F.Muell.

CJnodon daclylon (L.) Pers.Eragrostis amabilis (L) Wight & Am. ex Hook & Am.Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schull.Axonopus compressus (Sw.) P. BeauvPanicum repens L.Paspalum conjugatum Berg.Chrysopogon aciculatus (Retz.) Trin.Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. BeauvUntotheea lappacea (L.) Desv.

Kyllinga nemoralis (l.R. Forsl.& G. Forst)Dandy ex Hutch.& DalzielKyUinga polyphylia Willd. ex KunthScleria sumatrensis Retz.Cyperus distans L. f

Sampling sites

Undisturbed area Disturbed area

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M. ASYRAF and M. MASHHOR

easily uproot aquatic plants. However, the highpopulation of Ceratopteris thalictroidei recorded inSg. Rasau was found in the slow moving part ofthe river near the bathing spot of the camp site.The high amount of light received in this loca­tion and possible adaptation to the new envi­ronment may contribute to its flourishing popu­lation. Any aquatic landscapes made by humansuch as dam, channel, drains and pond arelikely to have a greater tendency to be infestedby aquatic plants (Abdullah 1999). However,the conditions of water bodies at the surveyedsites may be insufficient for other aquatic weedspecies to flourish.

There were also larger populations of C.thalictroides and H. verticillata recorded at theconstruction site, immediately adjacent to theforest. This was probably due to the highernutrient input from the workers' quarters. Theimpact of human activities to the water quality,the kind and amount of wastes and pollutantsdumped into the water will create pollution andeutrophication that in tum can change the life­form in an aquatic ecosystem. Nutrients such asnitrogen, phosphorus and micronutrients arethe important elements in hydrosoil for theaquatic plants growth (Steward 1984, SoeIjani

1986, Sutton and Portier 1995). Too high nuUent concentrations however, can trigger unne,essary floral bloom.

Weedy species coverage in disturbed areawas relatively higher when compared to le~

disturbed sites (Fig. 2). The vast open areas iJthe construction site were found to be dominated by grasses and sedges. This maybe due t(the opening of the area. The abundance 0

Clidemia hirta and Chr01Mlaena odorata was due t<

regular disturbances of the sites surveyed. Thes(species are good indicators for a disturbed habitat especially in newly opened areas. In additiorto C. hirla, Melastoma malabathricum is also foundin abundance in disturbed areas. Other broad·leaved weeds (Table 1) are amongst the pioneerplant species which can subsequently colonizethe whole area.

The surrounding areas adjacent to AyerHitam Forest are currently under extensive hous­ing development projects. The noxious weed,Mi1TWSa pigra was only found at the constructionsite bordering the forest. The seeds of this spe­cies are believed to be brought by heavy ma­chines brought from areas which have alreadybeen infested by M. pigra.

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4 PERTANlKAJ. TROP. AGRIe. SCI. VOL. 24 NO. 1,2001

WEEDY PlANTS OF AYER HITAM FOREST RESERVE, SElANGOR

CONCLUSION

'he intrusion of weedy species especially theloxious ones should be considered as a serioushreat to the Ayer Hitam Forest ecosystem. TheI1vasion of noxious weeds such as Mimosa pigrarom the adjacent area deserves close monitor­ng as it can displace original populations of)ther species in the undisturbed areas of theorest.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

rhe authors wish to thank the organizer ofkientific Expedition of Ayer Hitam Forest for:he invitation to conduct this study; Dean, School)f Biological Sciences, USM for providing thetransportation; and Mr. Ganesh and Mr.Kalimuthu for the assistance during the field­work.

REFERENCES

ABDULlAH, H. 1999. Effect of 2,4-D on aquaticweed Hydrilla verticillata. MSc. Thesis, USM.Penang (Unpublished).

ANON. 1956. Terminology Committee of WeedScience Society of America.

ANwAR, A. I. 1978. Some recent studies of Salvinia,an aquatic weed in rice. Information paperno. 6. Rice Research Branch (MARDI) 10 p.

BAILEY, L.H and E.Z. BAILEY. 1941. Hortus theSecond. New York: Macmillan.

BRAUN-BLANQUET, J. 1932. Plant sociology: the Studyof Plant Communities. Trans!. G.D Fuller &H.S. Conard, 430 p. New York: Me GrawHill Book Co.

CUEAM, A.H. 1974. Current status of aquatic weedproblems in Peninsular Malaysia. Paper pre­sen ted at Southeast Asia WQTkshop on AquaticWeeds, 25-29 June 1974, Malang, Indonesia.18 p.

FARIDAH HANuM, I. 1999. Plant diversity andconservation value of Ayer Hitam Forest,Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia. Pertanika.J. Trop. Agric. Sci. 22(2): 73 - 83.

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JACOBSEN, N. 1980. Does Cryptocoryne feruginaflower at full moon? Aroideana (3): III ­116.

KIEW, R. 1990. Conservation of plants in MalaysiaIn The Plant Diversity of Malesia. ed. P. Baas.p. 313 - 322.

MASSHOR, M. and M. MAsNADI. 1994. Cryptocoryneelliptica, an endangered amphibious plant inPomdok Tanjog Forest Reserve, PeninsularMalaysia. Aquatic Botany 47: 91 - 96.

MERCADO, B.L. 1979. Introduction to Weed Science.South East Asia Regional Center for Gradu­ate Study and Research in Agriculture(SEARCA) , College, Laguna, Philippines.292 p.

SOERJANI, M. 1986. Aquatic vegetation manage­ment. In Weeds and the environment in theTropics. ed. K Noda and B.L. Mercaso. 10thConference of the Asian-Pacific Weed Science So­ciety, p. 33 - 49. Thailand: Chiang MaL

STEWARD, K.K.1984. Growth of Hydrilla (Hydrillaverticillata) in hydrosoil of different compo­sition. Weed Science 32: 371 - 375.

SUTTON, D.L and KM. PORTIER. 1995. Growth ofdioecious Hydrilla in sediments from sixFlorida lakes. J. Aquat. Plant Management 33:3 - 7.

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