Speciescomposition & diversity of liverwort at different altitudes at R.E.A.C.H Biodiversity Centre, Cameron Highlands, Pahang

Liverwort is termed as plant that lacks of flowering part and vascular system where it is categorised less than one of the three category of Bryophyta. It is grouped under kingdom Plantae and classified as lower plants. A study was carried out at R.E.A.C.H Biodiversity Centre, Cameron Highlands where this area is considered as montane forest whereby to determine the diversity and composition of liverworts at different altitudes. The collections of samples were done at three levels of altitudes which range from 1700 m to 1999 m. The samples have been collected along trails where the collection of samples focused on species that were found one meter above grounds only. Two indices have been used which are Shannon Index and Sorenson Similarity Index. From this study, 298 samples of liverworts’ colonies have been recorded which consist of 17 families, 20 genera and 29 species. Therefore, this study contributes to 44.78% from 38 families of liverworts that have been recorded in Malaysia. Based on the results obtained, this research showed that the lower part of montane forest has most diverse species compared to middle and higher part of the study area. The study also shows that the lower part has even distribution of species throughout the study area. The data also shows highest number of common species exist in both middle and higher part of the montane forest. It has been recorded that, all the five species including Bazzania assamica, Marchantia polymorpha, Porella cordaeana, Plagiochila asplenioides and Schistochila balfouriana were well distributed around the study area. It can be concluded that, the data should be more diverse in terms of species because this area are suitable for growth of liverworts. However, due to anthropogenic activities that lead to soil erosion and pollution, the diversity of sensitive liverworts might decrease. Thus, it is recommended to conserve the study area in order to revert to its natural state.