Journal of Environmental Science and Technology1994-78872077-2181Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jest.2010.56.62AinuddinN.A. GohK. 1201031The objective of this study was to investigate the effect
of forest fire on forest structure in the peat swamp forest. The study
was conducted in Raja Musa Forest Reserve which has been experiencing
fire occurrences since 1996. Ten plots each measuring 50x20 m were systematically
set up both in the burnt and unburnt area and plant inventory were conducted
between September 2001 to June 2002. Results showed that there were 10
families and 22 families in burnt and unburnt area, respectively. In terms
of family, Euphorbiaceae (61.9%) rank first in the burnt area. Imperata
cylindrica from family of Poaceae had the most coverage on burnt plot.
For tree diameter distribution, trees with diameter class of 10.1-15.0
cm and 15.1-20.0 cm had the highest number in the unburnt area while trees
with diameter class of 5.1-10.0 cm was the highest in burnt area. Shannon’s
diversity index in burnt area was 1.62, lower compared to unburnt area
which was 2.40. Evenness index for burnt area was 0.68, lower than unburnt
area which was 0.71. This study shows that fire affects the species composition
and stand structure of the forest and herbaceous vegetation, such as Poaceae
was found to be abundant in burnt area compared to unburnt area.]]>Rochadi, A., A.S. Adhikerana, R. Ubaidullah and N. Suharna,200023125129Nuruddin, A.A., H.M. Leng and F. Basaruddin,2006625172519Barlow, J., T. Haugaasen and C.A. Peres,2002105157169Cochrane, M.A. and M.D. Schulze,199812948950Cochrane, M.A., A. Alencar, M.D. Schulze, C.M. Souza, D.C. Nepstad, P. Lefebvre and E.A. Davidson,199928418321835Ellis, L.M.,200097159170Sulaiman, F.,19981998Goldammer, J.G.,199928417821783Kinnaird, M.F. and T.G. O'Brien,199812954956Syaufina L., Ainuddin, A.A., Jamaluddin, B., L.F. See and M.R.M. Yusof,200410114Laurance, W.F.,200318209212Laurance, W.F. and G.B. Williamson,20011515291535Maltby, E.,19971997pp: 918Lepun, P.,19991999Page, S.E., F. Siegert, J.O. Rieley, H.D.V. Boehm, A. Jaya and S. Limin,20024206165Phillips, R.J. and T.A. Waldrop,200825531073116Shlisky, A., J. Waugh, P. Gonzalez, M. Gonzalez and M. Manta et al.,20072007Whittle, C.A., L.C. Duchene and T. Needham,1997Pinus banksiana) clear cut.]]>94141148Wood, P.,198921290298Yeager, C.P., A.J. Marshall, C.M. Stickler and C.A. Chapman,20038121138