Variations of Riparian Vegetation along the River Corridors of Sg Johor

Mohamad Hidayat Jamal; Ahmad Khairi Abd Wahab; Chik Maslinda Omar; Daeng Siti  Maimunah Ishak

Authors

Mohamad Hidayat Jamal Department of Hydraulics and Hydrology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Ahmad Khairi Abd Wahab Department of Hydraulics and Hydrology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Chik Maslinda Omar Centre for Coastal and Ocean Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Yahya Petra, 54100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Daeng Siti Maimunah Ishak Centre for Coastal and Ocean Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Yahya Petra, 54100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Keywords:

Vegetation, River, River bank, Woody species, Buttress roots

Abstract

Riparian vegetation has been recognized for its remarkable environmental and management implications. Occurred within the dynamic tract of river systems, riparian vegetation is a complex character that often exposed to the changes of river water and river beds. Their spatial extent is strongly controlled by inundation and flood disturbance, which result in the riparian vegetation migration to the point of destruction, if the competition for the area and other sources are lacking. This paper presents the findings of collected riparian vegetation information along Sg Johor at the upstream and downstream of Kota Tinggi. Using Point-Centre-Quarter Method, the vegetation’s species, density, basal area, diameter at breast height and relative composition were recorded, identified and classified. Vitex pubescens and Drypetes spp. dominantly occurred along the upstream and downstream of this river, respectively. Species like Gymnacranthera bancana, Endospermum malaccense, and Aquilaria malaccensis are also found inhabit along Sg Johor bank. Classified as woody
vegetation, these vegetations are equipped with buttress roots that enable them to increase soil strength. This paper also suggests that proper study of riparian vegetation along river banks could promote a better understanding of the function of each species, to ensure the sustainability of riparian vegetation as part of river system engineer.