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Conservation management of rare and predominantly selfing tropical trees: an example using Hopea bilitonensis (Dipterocarpaceae)

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Abstract

Hopea bilitonensis is an extremely rare and predominantly selfing dipterocarp in Peninsular Malaysia. A comprehensive research was initiated to assess the ecological genetics of H. bilitonensis to elucidate specific ecological and genetic requirements and subsequently to recommend conservation strategies. The objective for conservation of a rare plant such as H. bilitonensis differs from that of a common plant. For common plants, the conservation strategies are to prevent the species from becoming endangered. In contrast, for rare plants, the final race against extinction is being fought. Tropical forests are rich in plant species diversity and obtaining adequate knowledge to set conservation strategies for the majority of these species might be difficult. Thus, it is suggested that for the conservation of tree species, the species can be grouped according to their life history traits. The information generated for a species can then be adapted to species that have similar types of life history traits. We have recently generated the ecological genetics information for a rare and predominantly outcrossed dipterocarp (Shorea lumutensis). This study on H. bilitonensis will provide ecological genetics information for the conservation of rare and predominantly selfing dipterocarps.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Forest Department of Perak for granting us permission to access the forest reserves. The foresters and rangers of the Kinta/Manjung District Forest Office provided assistance during the field work and the officers from the District Land Office provided the information on the land status. We are grateful to the late Chan Yee Chong, Ghazali Jaafar, Yahya Mahani, Ramli Ponyoh, Mariam Din, Sharifah Talib, Damahuri Sabari, Mustapa Data and Ayau Kanir for their excellent assistance in the laboratory and field. We also extend our thanks to Chen King Min, Quarry Manager, Superior Lime Sdn. Bhd. and the GIS Units of Forestry Department Headquarters and FRIM for useful information given. Special thanks go to the Forest Engineering Team (Natural Forest Division, FRIM) for their technical assistance. This study was supported in part by the IRPA research grant (09-04-01-0013-EA001), the Timber Export Levy Fund (Flora Malaysiana Centre Programme, Project 6), and the Bioversity International Agreement No. APO 06/025.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forest Research Institute Malaysia, 52109, Kepong, Selangor, Malaysia

    Soon Leong Lee, Lillian S. L. Chua, Kevin K. S. Ng, Mamat Hamidah, Chai Ting Lee, Chin Hong Ng & Lee Hong Tnah

  2. Regional Office for Asia, the Pacific and Oceania, Bioversity International, P.O. Box 236, UPM Post Office, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Lay Thong Hong

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  1. Soon Leong Lee
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  2. Lillian S. L. Chua
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Correspondence to Soon Leong Lee.

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Lee, S.L., Chua, L.S.L., Ng, K.K.S. et al. Conservation management of rare and predominantly selfing tropical trees: an example using Hopea bilitonensis (Dipterocarpaceae). Biodivers Conserv 22, 2989–3006 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-013-0566-5

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