Taxanomic Composition and Conservation Status of Plants in Imbak Canyon, Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract

A study of plant diversity and their conservation status was conducted in Batu Timbang, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA), Sabah. The study aimed to document plant diversity and to identify interesting, endemic, rare and threatened plant species which were considered high conservation value species. A total of 413 species from 82 families were recorded from the study area of which 93 taxa were endemic to Borneo, including 10 endemic to Sabah. These high conservation value species are key conservation targets for any forested area such as ICCA. Proper knowledge of plant diversity and their conservation status is vital for the formulation of a forest management plan for the Batu Timbang area.