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Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2002 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 8 | Page No.: 819-824
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2002.819.824
Influence of Elevational Habitat Changes on Non-volant Small Mammal Species Distribution and Diversity on Mount Nuang, Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia
Zainab Batin, Shukor Md. Nor and Mohd. Yusoff Ahmad

Abstract: Change in distributions, species diversity of non-volant small mammals, and habitat structure across an elevation transect at the south face of Mount Nuang, Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia was studied. Elevation significantly influenced 33 out of 36 habitat variables. The same variables were analyzed using Principle Component Analysis (PCA) in which the ordinations of the first two component scores indicated that all elevational sites (except the 300 m) are arranged subsequently with a gradual continuous change from the lower to the top elevations. Scores of principal components 1 and 2 are correlated with altitudinal changes (PCA1, rs=0.807, p<0.001, N=250; PCA2, rs=0.317, p<0.001, N=250). Eigenvectors of the first two components indicates a decrease in canopy height, maximum tree height, counts of tree DBH>15CM and seedlings with increasing altitudes. Small mammal diversity and density (individuals ha-1) was found decreasing with increasing altitude. Biomass (g ha-1 ) was maximum at the mid-elevation and lowest at the foothill and at the peak of Mount Nuang. Certain individuals of non-volant small mammal species were unevenly distributed throughout the Mount Nuang.

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How to cite this article
Zainab Batin, Shukor Md. Nor and Mohd. Yusoff Ahmad, 2002. Influence of Elevational Habitat Changes on Non-volant Small Mammal Species Distribution and Diversity on Mount Nuang, Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 5: 819-824.

Keywords: Small mammals, habitat changes, mount nuang, Malaysia, elevational diversity pattern and distribution

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