The Distribution of genus Shorea in Bukit Bakar Forest Eco Park, Machang, Kelantan

A study to determine the distribution of genus Shorea spp. and estimate the above ground biomass for Shorea spp, in Bukit Bakar Forest Eco Park. Bukit Bakar Forest Eco Park contains of various tree species that have a high economic value which are expected to have high biomass content. This is important to conduct as there is less scientific data on the distribution of genus Shorea that exist in Bukit Bakar Forest Eco Park, Machang, Kelantan. The objectives aimed in this study were to measure thediversity and abundance ofgenus Shorea in this studyarea. Fiveplots of 20 m x 20 mwere randomly plotted. There are 120 individualsfrom genus Shorea werefound which are represented by 14 species ofgenus Shorea withthediameterat breast height (DBH) less than 5 cm. The Shorea spp. shows high diversity with Shannon-Wiener Index, H’ value 2.50, Shannon Evenness Index, E is 0.95 and Simpson’s Index with 0.91. The total above ground biomass value of Shorea spp. in Bukit Bakar Forest Eco Park is estimated at 72.48 t/ha. Shorea macroptera dominate the distribution of Shorea spp. in this study area as this species are found with total number is 23. The result of this study will update the information and data in Bukit Bakar Forest Eco Park Machang, Kelantan. For the future sustainability to maintain this valuable species, it is important for Forestry Department of Kelantan to conserve and sustain this species for stabilizing carbon content in atmosphere.