Assessment on diversity and abundance of araceae in limestone and pyroclastics areas in Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia.

The study was conducted in Gua Musang, Kelantan, namely; Kuala Koh N 04° 52’
02.2”/ E 102° 26’ 33.3” (represents pyroclastics area) and Tanah Puteh N 04° 46’ 11.9”/ E 101°
58’ 35.5” (represents limestone area). A square plot (100 x 100 m) was set-up in both locations
for sampling of Araceae. The result shows diversity of Araceae in limestone (28 species ha-1) is
higher as compared to pyroclastics area (21 species ha-1). The most abundant species in
limestone are Anadendrum microstachyum, Homalomena griffithii, Rhaphidophora tenuis and
Schismatoglottis brevicuspis. In pyroclastics area, the most abundant is S. calyptrata followed
by, S. scortechinii, S. brevicuspis and A. microstachyum. The common species in both areas was
hemiepiphytic R. mangayi. The least abundant species in limestone are Amorphophallus sp. and
Homalomena Chamaecladon Supergroup. Meanwhile, Scindapsus perakensis, Homalomena
Cyrtocladon Supergroup, H. pontederiifolia and Aglaonema simplex were counted as least
abundant species in pyroclastics area. Geological features, topography (whether on-slope, onridge
or edge of stream), and altitude are the most influencing factor on distribution and
abundance of aroids species.