FRIM Leads Efforts To Conserve Malaysia’s Limestone Flora

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) is now spearheading efforts to conserve and document the country’s limestone flora, which supports rich biodiversity and is home to numerous endemic and endangered species not found elsewhere in nature.

In a statement issued today in conjunction with the International Day for Biological Diversity, FRIM said the initiative was vital as limestone ecosystems, formed over millions of years, provide a habitat for plants specially adapted to thin, dry, alkaline and nutrient-poor soils.

Among the species commonly found in the area are begonias, balsams and several types of orchids.

“To date, around 1,300 limestone plant species have been identified in Peninsular Malaysia, making up about 14 per cent of the country’s total flora across an estimated 908 recorded limestone hills,” the statement said.

FRIM said threats from development, quarrying, mining and land-use change are now being closely addressed under Target 8 of the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2022-2030, in line with Malaysia’s commitment to protect at least 30 per cent of its land area as protected areas by 2030.

To address these challenges, FRIM said flora documentation plays a key role in recording, identifying and assessing plant diversity and conservation status, as well as helping to prioritise areas for protection.

FRIM said that under the Flora Documentation Project of Peninsular Malaysia, which began in 2005, several new species have been recorded, including Gymnostachyum kanthanense, Meiogyne kanthaensis and Vatica kanthanensis at Mount Kanthan, Perak, in 2014.

Between 2016 and 2024, discoveries also included Impatiens chikuensis, I. glaricola, I. vinosa, Coleus rafidahiae and Gymnostachyum calcicola in Kelantan, as well as the orchid Thrixspermum merapohense and the fern Asplenium merapohense in Merapoh, Pahang, and Coleus hairulii in Kedah.

The research also emphasises endangered endemic species such as Impatiens vinosa and Begonia jayaensis, which are facing serious habitat disturbance, while also recording new orchid finds, including Didymoplexis micradenia and Chiloschista exuperei in Perak, Sohmaea teres in Kedah and Exacum tenue in Kelantan.

As a proactive step, FRIM prepared a discussion paper for the 3rd National Biodiversity Council meeting in August 2016, proposing closer collaboration with state governments to conduct limestone biodiversity research.

In terms of limestone hill distribution in Peninsular Malaysia, Kelantan has the highest number with 298 hills, followed by Pahang (183), Kedah (173), Perak (138) and Perlis (103), while Selangor and Terengganu each have three, Negeri Sembilan has two and Johor has one.

FRIM, which received funding from the National Conservation Trust Fund for Natural Resources for projects in Kelantan and Perlis, as well as Rapid Biodiversity Assessment funding in Batu Caves, Selangor, presented an update on the status of limestone hill ecosystems at the National Biodiversity Council meeting on July 29, 2024.

“Accordingly, the proposal to develop a National Limestone Action Plan through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability is becoming increasingly important as a framework to guide the systematic management of these ecosystems,” read the statement.

FRIM said several conservation measures have been identified, including prioritising important limestone hills, developing in-situ and ex-situ management strategies, strengthening protected status enforcement, improving Environmental Impact Assessment processes, and reinforcing buffer zones around the hills.

“Although limestone hills are not fully designated as Totally Protected areas, FRIM’s flora studies can serve as a key reference for policymakers, helping to support more effective development planning and the sustainable management of these ecosystems,” it added.

-- BERNAMA