Forest Fragmentation and its Correlation to Human Land Use Change in the State of Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia
Background
This paper uses a simple fragmentation index comprising three landscape metrics- non-forest area, forest edge bordered by human land use, and patch size coefficient of variation- to study changes in forest fragmentation in the state of Selangor, in peninsular Malaysia between 1966, 1981 and 1995.
Research Goals & Methods
The study utilized digitized land use maps developed by the Soil Management Division of the Department of Agriculture, Malaysia, to study changes in land use over time.
Conclusions & Takeaways
Forest fragmentation increased between 1966 and 1995. Oil palm was the main cause of forest fragmentation in the wetland areas (mangroves and peat swamp landscape) while rubber plantations were the major contributor in the non wetland forest landscapes.
Reference:
. Forest fragmentation and its correlation to human land use change in the state of Selangor, peninsular Malaysia. Forest Ecology and Management. 2007;241:39–48. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2006.12.016.
Affiliation:
- Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
- Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia