The Distribution of Palms and Pandans in Teluk Bahang Permanent Forest Reserve, Penang.

Woody species of the coastal forest of Penang island have received substantial focus in term of their diversity, composition and spatial distribution. In comparison, comprehensive data on the non-woody plant species component, specifically the palms and pandans, are relatively lacking. The objective of this study was to provide baseline data on the non-woody component of Penang coastal forest flora which would become a platform for more extensive research on their population dynamic. In order to provide these baseline data, an assessment of the diversity and distribution of two non-woody families, namely palms and pandans, was conducted in Teluk Bahang Permanent Forest Reserve (TBPFR) located in Penang, from February 2005 to January 2008. One ha plot (100 metre x 100 metre) was established in the TBFR and all palms and pandans were enumerated and individual positions were recorded. A total of seven species of palms and two species of pandans (i.e. Pandanus ovatus and Pandanus penangiensis) were recorded. The most abundant palm species is Eugeisona tristis, with a total count of 551 individuals, whilst a total of 312 P. ovatus were also enumerated. Based upon the Morisita Standardized Modified Index of Dispersion, the distribution of the two monocots ranged from random to clumped distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]