Cameron Highlands Nature Trails Report

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF MALAYSIA

NATURE TRAILS REPORT Inventory of Plants or Flora Along The Nature Trails in Cameron Highlands.

NAME MATRIC NUMBER STUDY IN UNIVERSITY NAME SUPERVISOR

: NUR ZARINA HANIM BINTI MASOD : A102375 : BOTANY : NATIONALUNIVERSITY OF MALAYSIA (UKM) : DR. LIAU TAI LEONG

TABLE OF CONTENTS SUBJECT

PAGE

1.0 Acknowledgements

2

2.0 Title

3

3.0 Introduction

3

4.0 Objectives

4

5.0 Methodology

4

6.0 Preparation for Trekking

4

7.0 Background of Trails

5

8.0 Result and Discussion

10

9.0 Conclusion

16

10.0 References

16

11.0 Appendices

16

2

1.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my Dept to REACH organisation for their support; Dr. Liau for his constant encouragement and advice throughout this project; Mr. Balu Perumal, for the sharing his knowledge on botany; The help from Mr. Kali, Mr. Francis and Mr. Kumar, who brought us to Gunung Brinchang for reforestation and Gua Musang to see Refflesia and the explanation of plants in Cameron Highlands; Thank a lot to Mr. Dilip, you such a good friend and I am grateful for all your help; To my family for their support during my practical here; My appreciation to Prof Dr. Kamarudin Mat Salleh, who recommended me to REACH. I really enjoy my practical here and had a fantastic experience. To other student who want to do practical, REACH is the correct place!! I highly recommend it.

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2.0 TITLE : 2.1 Inventory of Plants or Flora Along The Nature Trails in Cameron Highlands. 3.0 INTRODUCTION : 3.1 Cameron Highlands has a unique history. It was first stumbled upon by a British Surveyor named William Cameron while on a mapping expedition of the Main range (Banjaran Titiwangsa) in 1885. Thus, the name Cameron Highlands as it is so fondly referred to now. Cameron Highlands is located in north-western corner of the state of Pahang, in Peninsular Malaysia. Most of the western portion of Cameron Highlands is about 1000 metres above sea level and the highest point is 2031metres above sea level. It has an area of 670 square kilometres and at an average of 1200 metres above sea level. It enjoys a cool climate, seldem higher than 25°C and rarely falling below 10°C year round. With this equitable climate, which can be described as a land of perpetual spring, a unique highland flora has evolved. This inevitably lead to trekking being a popular activity in the Highlands and should be in every nature lover agenda. Trekking through the trails is both exciting and educational. They provide a wide variety of flora ranging from primitive algae species to higher plants and trees. The nature trails also offer a wide spectrum of activities for the adventurous visitors. It is an opportunity to get back to nature and experience the hidden and mysterious secret of its wilderness. Nature lovers will enjoy the trails. Along the trails, one can see spectacular views of the highland forests. You can admire the various forest plants and animals. It is a wonderful way to explore the local fauna and flora such as snakes, birds, rare lichens, pillow-like moss beds, ferns species and orchids species. For bird-watching enthusiast, the trails are perfect at certain time of the day. To date 199 species of birds has been documented. Commonly sighted are the silver eared mesia, straits robin, maroon crested sunbird, spider hunter, and green magpie.

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4.0 OBJECTIVES: 4.1 4.2 4.3

To document plant species or flora in each of the nature trails. To develop a plant or flora checklist. Use the information gathered to promote the trails for tourism and educational activities.

5.0 METHODOLOGY: 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4

To collect data of plants or flora in every trails. To collect the specimens and take pictures. To identify the plants species and create a profile on it. To find the additional data of plant or flora from books in library, internet and people in the field.

6.0 PREPARATION FOR TREKKING Preparation is essential for any outdoor adventure. Checklist of things to do and prepare : 1) Please do research before you go to jungle. 2) Always carry a basic first kit like antiseptics, bandages, paracetamol, anagelsics etc. 3) Make sure you bring enough water to quench your thirst. Dehydration is not an enjoyable ailment and can lead to death in severe situation. 4) Bring a map. It is important to know the path and guides get lost. 5) Compass is really important to point you towards home and check on your guide. 6) Don’t forget to bring rain coat. Be prepared and act in anticipation of severe 7) weather. You are in the tropical forest. 8) Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back when you embark on an outdoor adventure. 9) You may get lucky to catch some signal to call out for help. So, bring you mobile phone but make sure it is fully charge. Don’t forget to bring along the hotel phone number or the local emergency numbers. 10) Use proper walking shoes. Some of the paths are slippery and rocky. So, be careful !! 11) Make sure your hand are free. So, you could use your hand to assist in the walk. 12) Matches or Lighters Warm clothing to make fire at night to keep warm. In case you are lost is good for making smoke signals too. 13) Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. Remember, in many cases, animals are more afraid of us and will run away. Usually, most injuries occur when people try to disturb them. 14) Please take a nature guide.

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7.0 BACKGROUND OF TRAILS

Trails

Start

End

Estimated Distance Time

Grade (Difficult / Easy)

1

From the army living quarters at the northern top end of Brinchang town

At Mount Brinchang transmission Tower

2.97 km

3 hours, or less

2

From path 3 at Arcadia Cottage

At Sam Poh Buddhist temple

1km

½ hour

Easy

3

From the Arcadia Cottage

At Mount Berembun

2.6km

2 hours or less

Difficult

6

Difficult to wards the end

Suitable for (Fit / Unfit)

Special features

- The highest peak of Cameron Highlands (Mount Brinchang). - Has a watch tower. - An amazing Fit Mossy forest. - Bird watching. - Wonderful plants: 1) Nepenthes sp. 2) Orchids sp. 3) Labisia sp. 4) Fungi 5) Crocosmia sp. - Bird watching. - Has a small and clean river. - Joins up with Trail 3. - Has a lot of millipede. All level - Wonderful of plants: fitness 1) Nepenthes sp. 2) Melastomata sp. 3) Moss 4) Homolanthus populneus 5) Bulbophyllum sp. - Has a good view of Tanah Rata from the top. - Link to : Fit 1) Sam Poh (No.2) 2) Mount Berembun 3) Mardi (No.5)

4

Century Pines Resort

Forestry Department

1.4km

1 ½ hours

Easy

5

From MARDI

Forestry Department or at path 3

1.5 km

2 hours

Easy

7

4) Forestry Department - Animals : 1) Monkey 3) Leech during the wet season. - Bird watching. - Confusing path. Be careful. Follow the biggest trail. - Wonderful plants: 1) Globba sp. 2) Compositae 3) Ipomeoa purpurea 4) Rubiaceae - Has a shaded rest area over looking the Parit Waterfall. A lot of rubbish in the waterfall. - Along the trail, on the right there is path that leads to a view tower. It is very steep 50 All level degree slope.Pass of through a planted fitness pine forest. From the view tower, you can see a typical oak laurel forest. - Wonderful plants: 1) Melastomaceae 2) Fern 3) Horstedtia scyphifera 4) Didymorcarpus - Has a secondary forest. Many variety of fern. - Leads up to All level Mount of Berembun. fitness - Link to path 2,3 and 6. - Has a small and clean river.

6

From the factory at Cameron Bharat

Orang Asli Village

3km

3 hours

7

From MARDI

At Mount Beremban

1.6km

1 ½ hour

8

From the Robinson Waterfall

At Mount Berembun

1.6km

2 hours

9

The end of Persiaran Dayang Endah

At the Boh Tea estate road

3.5km

3 hours

10

From behind the Oly Apartments

At trail 12

1.3km

1 hour

8

- Animals : 1) Snake 2) Millipede 3) Leech - Wonderful plants: 1) Pinanga sp. 2) Begonia sp. 3) Bird’s nest - Leads up to Mount Jasar (1,670 m). - Joins up with Difficult Fit trail 10 and 12. - Has a Orang Asli Village. - Heads straight to Mount Beremban. - Has a Very secondary difficult Forest. and Fit - Wonderful challenging plants: trek 1) Lipstick flower 2) Fern 3) Pinanga sp. 4) Rattan sp. 5) Orchid sp. - Climb up Mt Beremban. Difficult Fit - Spilt at path 3,5 and 7. - Bird watching. - Has the Robinson power station. - Robinson Very waterfall. difficult - Has a beautiful and Fit garden. challenging - Wonderful trek plants: 1) Fungi 2) Fern 3) Globba sp. 4) Jewel Orchid - Tan’s All level Camelia Easy Garden. of fitness - Trek to Mount Jasar and

11

Split from trail 10

At path 12

1.3km

1½ hours

Easy

12

Split from trail 10

Orang Asli Village

1km

1 hours

Easy

13

From behind the Cameronian Holiday Inn

At trail 14

1.6km

1½ hours

Easy

14

Split from trail 13

Tanah rata

1.2km

1½ hours

Easy

Jim Thomp

From Moonlight

Driving school

1km

1½ hours

Easy

9

Mount Perdah.. - Wonderful plants : 1) Kam chang 2) Guatamala grass 3) Graminae 4) Agrostemma sp. All level - Has an Orang of Asli Village. fitness - Has an Orang Asli Village. - Nice view from the top. All level - Wonderful of plants : fitness 1) Lysichiton americanus 2) Wild pepper. 3) Begonia sp. 4) Oxyfolia sp. - Merges with trail 14. - Has a small river. - Wonderful All level plants : of 1) Cythea fitness contaminans (tree fern) 2) Impatiets sp. 3) Begonia sp. 4) Mimosa pudica - Leading up to Mount Mentigi (1,535 meters). - Nice view of Arabella. apartment from the top. All level - Historical trail. of You can find fitness old armybanker. - Confusing path. - Wonderful plants: 1) Impatiens sp. 2) Lantana camara 3) Olleandra sp. All level - Has a of secondary

son

Cottage

fitness

forest. - A lot of Millipede. - Bird watching. - Wonderful Plants: 1) Arudinia graminifolia 2) Zingiberaceae 3) Cobea scandens 4) Hibiscus rosa chinensis

Explanation : This result is based on the author’s experience. The distance is just an estimate because some of the signboard along some trails are faded and the notice is not clear. The time estimated given is for one way and varies with the level of fitness and their interest. For example nature lover might need extra time to explore the flora and fauna. The grade whether it is difficult or not also depend on the level of fitness. For the purpose of these walks, fit is generally meant for people who regularly exercise, unfit generally meant for people that seldom exercise, and do sedentary jobs. 8.0 RESULT AND DISCUSSION No. 1.

Voucher specimens Na 24

2.

Na 50

3.

-

4.

Na 106

5.

-

6.

-

7.

Na 108

8.

-

9.

Na 118

10.

-

11.

Na 39

Plant name (Acautheceae) Aeschynanthus longicalyx -Lipstick flower (Gesneriaceae) Ageratum sp. - Blueweed (Aracaeae) Arisaema sp. (Araceae) Arudinia graminifolia (Orchidaceae) Balanophora sp. (Balanophoraceae) Begonia sp. (Begoniaceae) Begonia sp. (Begoniaceae) Asplenium nidus -Bird’s nest (Bromeliaceae) Bulbophyllum sp.

1

2

3

4

5

7

9

X X X

Jim Thompson

X

X X

X

10 12 13 14

X

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X X

X

X X

X X X X X X X

X

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

10

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

12.

Na 107

13. 14. 15.

-

16.

Na 75

17.

-

(Orchidaceae) Bulbophyllum sp. (Orchidaceae) Canna sp. Cananga odorata -Kenanga hutan Cedrela sp. -Surian Cobea scandens (Polemoniaceae) Castanopsis sp. -Berangan

Na 61

(Compositae)

18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.

Na 71 Na 74 Na 76 Na 83 Na 98 Na 128

24.

-

25.

-

26.

Na 133

27.

Na 32

28.

Na 89

29.

Na 102

30.

-

31.

-

32.

Na 08

33.

Na 12

34.

Na 43

35.

Na 129

36. 37.

Na 06 Na 42

(Compositae) (Compositae) (Compositae) (Compositae) (Compositae) (Compositae) Coral Rhododendron Cyathea contaminans - Paku pakis pohon Cypeus sp. (Cypeusaceae) Camtandra latifolia (Zingiberaceae) Davallia sp. (Fern) Didysaudra sp. (Gernueraceae) Dicranopteris linearis -Resam fern (Gleicheniaceae) Diospyros sp. -Kayu arang Ficus sp. (Moraceae) Ficus sp. (Moraceae) Ficus sp. (Moraceae) Ficus sp. (Moraceae) (Flacourtiaceae) Flagellaria sp.

X X X

X X X

X X X

X X

X X

X X X X X X

X X X X X

X

X

X

X

X

X X X X X X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X

X X X

X

X X X X

X X

X

X X

X

X

X

X

X X

X X X X

11

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

(Flagellanaceae) Garcinia sp. -Kandis Geostachys densiflora (Zingiberaceae) Gleichenia sp. (Fern) Gleidemia sp. (Melastamataceae) Globba sp. -Jungle ginger (Zingiberaceae) Globba sp. -Jungle ginger (Zingiberaceae) (Gramineae) (Gramineae) Guatemala grass Homolanthus populneus (Euphorbiaceae) Henckelia / didymorcarpus (Gerneriaceae ) Hibiscus Rosa chinensis (Malvaceae) Hornstedtia scyphifera -Spindle ginger (Zingiberaceae)

38.

-

39.

-

40.

Na 92

41.

Na 115

42.

Na 04

43.

Na 26

44. 45. 46.

Na 19 Na 68 -

47.

Na 111

48.

-

49.

Na 78

50.

-

51.

Na 48

Impatiens sp. (Balsaminaceae)

52.

Na 82

53.

Na 130

54.

Na 64

55.

Na 11

56.

-

57.

Na 27

Impatiens sp. (Balsaminaceae) Impatiens oncioides - Golden baisam (Balsaminaceae) Ipomoea purpurea -Morning glory (Convolvoceae) Jewel orchid (Orchidaceae) Kam chang (Liliaceae) Labisia sp. (Myrsinaceae)

X

X

X

X

X X X X X X X X X X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X X X X

X

X

X

X

X

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X X X

X X X

X

X

X

X

X X X

X X

X X X X X X X X X X X X X

X

X X

X

X

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X X X

X

X

X

X

X

X X X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X X

X

X

X

X

X X X

X

X X X

12

X

58.

-

59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64.

Na 63 Na 67 Na 117 Na 105 Na 121 Na 46

65.

-

66.

-

67.

-

68.

Na 72

69. 70. 71. 72. 73.

Na 25 Na 38 Na 58 Na 66 Na 84

74.

-

75.

-

76.

Na 88

77.

-

78.

-

79.

-

80.

Na 49

81.

Na 93

82.

Na 55

83.

Na 97

84. 85. 86.

Na 59 Na 95 Na 29

Lantana camara - Bunga tahi ayam (Verbenaceae) (Leguminasae) (Leguminasae) (Leguminasae) (Leguminasae) (Leguminasae) (Liliaceae) Lithocarpus sp. - Mempening Lysichiton americanus (Araceae) Macarangga sp. -Mahang Melastama sp. -Senduduk (Melastamataceae) (Melastamataceae) (Melastamataceae) (Melastamataceae) (Melastamataceae) (Melastamataceae) Michelia doltsopa (Cupressaceae) Mimosa pudica - semalu (Fabaceae) (Moss) Crocosmia sp. Monbrectia (Liliaceae) Musa sp. -Wild banana (Musaceae) Nepenthes sp. -Pitcher plant (Nepenthaceae) Neprolepis sp. (Fern) Neprolepis sp. (Fern) (Oleaceae) Olleandra sp. (Olleandraceae) (Orchidaceae) (Orchidaceae) Oucimum sp.

X

X X

X

X X

X X X X X

X

X

X

X

X

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X X X X X

X X X

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X X X X X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X X

X X

X X X X X

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X

X X X X X

X

X

X

X

X

X X X X

13

87.

Na 23

88. 89.

Na 21 -

90.

Na 45

91. 92. 93. 94.

Na 113 Na 52 Na 124

95.

Na 99

96.

-

97.

Na 28

98. 99. 100. 101. 102. 103. 104.

Na 09 Na 16 Na 60 Na 85 Na 132 -

105.

Na 126

106.

-

107.

Na 47

108.

Na 91

109.

Na 02

110.

-

111.

Na 101

112.

Na 122

113.

-

114.

Na 123

115.

-

116.

Na 125

117.

-

Oxyspora sp. (Melastamataceae) Palm sp. (Palmae) Pandanus sp. Pinanga sp. -Pinang hutan (Palmae) Pegaga gajah Pines Tree (Piperaceae) (Piperaceae) Phyllagathis sp. (Melastamataceae) Rattan sp. (Palmae) Rhododendron malayanum (Ericaceae) Fungi (Rubiaceae) (Rubiaceae) (Rubiaceae) (Rubiaceae) (Rubiaceae) Rattan sp. Rubus moluccanus (Rosaceae) Rudbeckia sp. - Sun flower (Compositae) Sauracia sp. (Actinidaceae) Selaginella sp. (Selaginellaceae) Sonerilla sp. (Melastamataceae) Sonerilla sp. (Melastamataceae) Sonerilla sp. (Melastamataceae) Spiranthes sp. (Orchidaceae) Symplocos sp. -Kelat (Verberaaceae) Agrostemma sp. -White star Widelia biflora (Compositae) Wild orchid

X X X X X X

X X

X X

X X

X

X

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X X

X X

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X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

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X X

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X X X X X X X X

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X X

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X X

X X X X X X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X X X X X X X

14

118.

-

119.

-

(Orchidaceae) Wild pepper (Piperaceae) (Zingiberaceae)

X X X X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X

Disscussion : Each of the trails in Cameron Highlands has its own individual charms and attractions. There are a variety of trees, shrubs, herbaceous species, and mosses that grow here. Without some knowledge of the plants everything appear green. A checklist of plants or flora along every nature trails in Cameron Highlands is documented here. In my 2 months of practical here I have identify at least 119 different species of plants, some at the family level, some at species level and some by common name. The largest family is the Melastomataceae which is represented by 11 species, followed by the Compositae with 10 and the third is an Orchidaceae with 6 species. Some common species found in every trails are Begonia sp., Cyathea contaminans, Bird’s nest, Melastomataceae and Henkelia sp. In addition, there are a lot of fungi, moss, fern and lichen which I cannot identify. I also can find Guatamala grass which is planted to prevent landslide. Endemic species are a confined to a limited geographic area, for examples, Sonerilla rudis and impatients oncioides are endemic species in Cameron Highlands. An attractive plant is Zingiberales (ginger order). The flower are red, white and yellow according to the different species. Species in the following genera are particularly abundant like Musa sp., Alpinia sp. and Globba sp. Beside that, we also see some native plants and some invasive plants. Other than that, most of the plant species including climbing vines and palms can be seen in a dazzling array of forms. Some of the vines eg; Rattan are use by the orang asli community for to make furniture, baskets, fish traps and a range of other products. Bryophytes is another class of plant life. Moss and liverworts belong to this group. Bryophytes have no roots, leaves or stems to transport water. They dry out very quickly, so they are usually found in moist habitats such as Mount Brinchang (Trail no.1). The mosses spread along the whole floor like grasses. This carpet of mosses can only be found in the montane forest and it commonly called Mossy forest. Colour varies from light green to yellow.

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9.0 CONCLUSION : Most of the plants in each of the trails are quite similar. It is because all the trails is located in main range called Main range. They are in the same environment such as physical topography, temperature and light intensity. Variations is due to the climate, geology, humidity, and pH level. For people who want go to jungle walk, I recommended you to go to Trail no. 1 (Mount Brinchang). Trekking through the trails is very exciting and most challenging. This nature also offers a wide spectrum of activity for the adventurous visitor providing the opportunity to get back to nature and experience the hidden and mysterious secret of its wilderness. 10.0 REFERENCES Corner. 1952. Wayside Tree of Malaya. Vol 1 and 11. M.R.Henderson.1959. Malayan wild flowers dicotyledons. M.R.Henderson.1954. Malayan wild flowers monocotyledons. E.J.H.Corner. Wayside trees of Malaya. Volume 1. T.C.Whitemore.1972.Tree flora of Malaya. Volume 1. K.Larsen, H.Ibrahim, S.HKhaw and L.G.Saw. Gingers of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Nature History Publication (Borneo) Sdn.Bhd. A.G.Piggot. 1988. Fern of Malaysia In Colour. Tropical Press Sdn.Bhd. David P. Bank. 1990. Tropical Orchids of Malaysia and Singapore. Published by Periplus Edition (HK) Ltd. T.C.Whitmore. 1973. Palms or Malaya.

11.0 THE APPENDICES Appendix 1 : Map of jungle Trails 2 to 5, 7 to 9/9a Appendix 2 : Map of jungle trails of 6, 10,14 Appendix 3 : Trails picture. Appendix 4 : Plants profile.

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Appendix 1 : Map of jungle Trails 2 to 5, 7 to 9/9a

17

Appendix 2 : Map of jungle trails of 6, 10,14

18