MONTANE FORESTS

Most people think of the tropical rainforest as a jungle with gigantic trees looming well above a hundred feet and wild animals prowling in the dark undergrowth. However, other types of tropical rainforest do occur in Malaysia, such as montane forests. These are the highland forests, where the large, tall dipterocarps of the lowland and hill rainforests begin to disappear, making way for smaller trees of the oak and laurel types.

Rattan

Fungi

There are two types of montane forests in Malaysia; lower and upper montane upper forests. These can be found at altitudes above 1 000 metres for example in the Peninsular Malaysia. These may be further sub-divided into upper dipterocarp, mid-mountain oak forest and upper mountain ericaceous forest. In Malaysia, another type of montane forest, the sub-alpine type can only be found above the tree line at 3 500 metres on Gunung Kinabalau, Sabah.

These different types of montane forest vary according to altitude and each has different structures, features and wildlife. Sharp and dramatic transitions between these different types may occur along mountain ranges. On isolated mountains, these boundaries are not sharp and the forest types may occur at much lower altitudes, than is normal elsewhere.

Balanophora

Adapted well to the environment

As you climb up through the montane forest, you will encounter magnolias, rhododendrons, raspberries and other plants which may seem out of place in a tropical climate. Moss begins to cover the ground, boulders,tree trunks and branches, on which you may now find orchids and other epiphytic plants. As you go even higher up in altitude, even these may disappear and trees are replaced by gnarled bushes.

Compared to the lowland forest, the montane forest is relatively poorer in large animals. However, the native fauna of the montane forest, like its plant life, are well adapted to their environment and some species are confined to just this type of habitat or even to just one particular mountain region. Highland fauna include the mountain treeshrew and the Chocolate Tiger Butterfly. This butterfly is common only at higher elevations and the males are said to emit one of the strongest scents of all Malaysian butterflies. Montane areas, such as Fraser's Hill, are popular haunts of birdwatchers. The relative stillness of the montane forest may be occassionally broken by the sounds of birds such as the Crimson-breasted Wood Patridge and Read Headed Trogon.

Pitcher plant

Natural flowers

Performing vital functions

Apart from the natural beauty of these areas, which have made them popular recreation areas, montane forests perform vital ecological functions. Mountain ranges are the source of most of the rivers and streams we depend on for water. Motane forests also control erosion and, ultimately prevent siltation of the rivers downstream. They stabilise the local climate and are habitats of high plant and animal diversity, especially sustaining a large number of endemic plants. Further studies in these areas will undoubtedly reveal species that may one day prove to be valuable sources of new drugs and medicines.