The Encyclopedia Of Malaysia: Plants

Malaysia abounds in botanical riches. About one-third of the world’s flowering plants, including at least 2,500 species of flowering trees, are found in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Among these are some of the most fascinating and beautiful plants in the world. Different vegetation types reflect a variety of ecosystems, from the humid lowland rainforest dominated by the family Dipterocarpaceae, to health forests and large tracts of mangrove forest in Sarawak, and the rich mountain flora of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah. In this volume, we explore this exciting diversity of plants and vegetation which provide us with not only timber, food and medicines, but a variety of other useful products.

The first three sections of the volume introduce the reader to the geological history of Malaysia, setting the stage for a description of the country’s diverse habitat and vegetation types and varied plant life forms. The fourth section focuses on the socioeconomic importance of both native and introduced species, and the interaction of plants with people, animals and the environment. The volume concludes with a discussion of the future of Malaysia’s rich plant heritage and its dependence on the delicate balance between conservation and the controlled exploitation of forest resources.

Over 750 full-colour illustrations, including specially commissioned drawings prepared under the guidance of experts from the various botanical fields, complement the text, which is written by a number of well-known botanists and foresters.

Publisher: Editions Didier Millet

Hardback

1999

ISBN: 9789813018402