Rainforest Malaysia

Rainforests Malaysia

Rainforest are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions setting minimum normal annual rainfall between 1750–2000 mm (68-78 inches). The monsoon trough, alternately known as the intertropical convergence zone, plays a significant role in creating Earth's tropical rain forests. There are two types of rainforest, tropical rainforest and temperate rainforest. Rainforest Malaysia located near equator are blessed with tropical rainforest.

There is misconception  that to walk through Rainforest Malaysia is easy in believing that the undergrowth in a rainforest which is restricted in many areas by the lack of sunlight at ground level makes it possible to walk through, not like walking in the park though. Characther of rainforest floor or shrub layer not only determine by level of sunlight going through the canopy but also the type of soil. Granite soil would make it possible for a clear forest floor. Eventhough with a minimun amount of sunlight there would be vines plants tangle from forest floor struggle to rise to the highest canopy.  Rainforest Malaysia floor composition of dense, tangled growth of vines, shrubs, and small trees called a jungle is determine by level of sunlight passing through the canopy . 

40 to 75% of all species on the world's habitats are indigenous to the rainforests. It has been estimated that many millions of species of plants, insects, and microorganisms are still undiscovered. Tropical rainforests have been called the "jewels of the Earth", and the "world's largest pharmacy", because over one quarter of natural medicines have been discovered there. 


Tropical Rainforest Malaysia are well known for its medicinal plants and herbs. The most popular medicinal plants of Rainforest Malaysia are Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali - known for its ability to improve male libido by increasing testosterone level and improve blood flow) and Melastoma malabathricum (senduduk).  Rainforests are also responsible for 28% of the world's oxygen turn over, often misunderstood as oxygen production, processing it through photosynthesis from carbon dioxide and storing it as carbon through biosequestration. Rainforest Malaysia still rich in biodiversity. 


Many rainforest animal species indigenous to Rainforest Malaysia is Malayan Tiger, Malayan Tapir, peacock peasant, Elephant (Malaysian Elephant belong to same species of Asian elephant), Sun Bear, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Gaur (Seladang), and etc. Orang Utan already extinct from natural habitat of Peninsular Malaysia and now can only be found in Borneo and Sumatra. Most of big size animal that thrive in lowland Rainforest Malaysia are becoming endangered species because of depleting size of lowland Rainforest Malaysia replace for plantation and development. The setting up of several National Parks in Rainforest Malaysia such as Taman Negara Pahang would protect significant area of Lowland Rainforest, hence would also protect those endangered animal species and plant from extinction. Authority responsible to safeguard Rainforest Malaysia would lie  on the shoulder of Department Of Wildlife and National Parks Of Peninsular Malaysia (or locally known as Perhilitan), Forestry Department and State Parks Authority such as Sabah Park. 

Tropical Rainforest Malaysia also known as tropical moist broadleaf forest (also share some character of tropical dry forest on dry season depends on regional climatic change) can be further calssified into several type based on Altitude:

 i) Flooded forests, including freshwater swamp forests, mangrove forest and peat swamp forests. These forest are part of Wetlands. Wetlands are permanent and temporary wet places such as lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, swamps, peatlands, mangrove forests, salt pans, sandy beaches and coral reef. The ecosystems provide us with a myriad of ecological services.

ii) Lowland  tropical rainforests, are forests which receive high rainfall (more than 2000 mm, or 80 inches, annually) throughout the year. Tropical Rainforest Malaysia are mostly dominated by trees from the Dipterocarpaceae family. The dipterocarp forest occurs on dry land just above sea level to an altitude of about 900 metres.The term ‘dipterocarp’ specifically refers to the fact that most of the largest trees in this Rainforest Malaysia belong to one plant family known as Dipterocarpaceae. It was so called because their fruits have seeds with two wings (di = two; ptero = wing; carp = seed). Thus, Lowland Rainforest Malaysia are commonly referred to as Lowland Dipterocarp Forest. Lowland Rainforest Malaysia is up to elevation 300m above sea level.

iii) Hill Forest / Hill Dipterocarp Forest - from elevation 300m-750m above sea level


iv) Upper Hill Forest - from elevation 750m-1200m above sea level.

v) Montane Rainforest Malaysia, normally above 1000m at some mountains the vegetation already can be classified as Montane forest, this can be extinguished with plants exist are small bonsai tree, coniferous plant, fern and eafy bryophytes. The type of forest exist on higher elevation can also be determined by temperature and soil. Biome of tropical highland mountains range which are known as cloud forests , mossy forest or mountain forest, are found in cooler-climate mountainous areas. Titiwangsa Mountains Ranges from Mount Chamah and Ulu Sepat  till  Mountains in Perak such as Mount Irau, Cameron Highland  are well known for its mossy forest beauty.

• Tropical coniferous forest - pine tree trail in Fraser Hill once have distinct character or tropical pine forest, however regional warming which correlated with deforestation and clearance of Rainforest area for farming and plantation in nearby areas has reduce the size coniferous forest area.

To experience Rainforest Malaysia by yourself, if reading this article would be harder to comprehend than your exam paper then head for Taman Negara Malaysia Pahang or known as Pahang National Parks. Take the trail up to Mount Tahan would surely present you with all kind of Rainforest Malaysia from big tree at lowland rainforest up to bonsai montane forest at Mount Tahan Peak. Taking that route would take around 1 week for return trip from Kuala Tahan if you have the time and got the fitness. Otherwise go to Cameron Highland or Fraser Hill (Bukit Fraser) to see and feel breezy montane forest air. To see mossy forest you have to go deeper into the trail. Deeper into the forest with lower temperature more mossy the forest will be. If you dare enough, hike up to Mount Irau Cameron Highland. You will see what, most normal tourist do not have chance to see of wonderful Rainforest Malaysia, but be prepare for a wet wet wet and muddy trail and prepare accordingly. For a more "easy trail" hike up Mount Kinabalu! do not mislead by word "easy trail", what it meant is that the trail are very well maintained. You do not have to crawl below fallen log, walking through muddy pool, instead just pace yourself on beautiful trail and stairs.. you still need a good fitness though,, otherwise you will just simply torturing yourself. At Mount Kinabalu trail you will see beautiful Rainforest Type from lowland rainforest, montane rainforest and end up to barren granite of Mount Kinabalu's peak.

Layer of lowland tropical Rainforest Malaysia

Malaysia lowland tropical rainforest is typically divided into four main layers, each with different plants and animals adapted for life in that particular area: forest floor / shrub layers , understory, canopy, and  the emergent. Only the emergent layer is unique to tropical rainforests, while the others are also found in temperate rainforests. While plant in temperate rainforest are all predominantly coniferous, tropical rainforest are blessed with more diverse plant species.

The emergent layer contains a small number of very large trees which grow above the canopy layer, reaching heights of 45-55 m, although on occasion a few species will grow up to 70 m or 80 m tall. Such species of emergent layer is Tualang (koompassia excelsa) tree.

The canopy is the primary layer of the rainforest and forms a roof over the two remaining layers. Most canopy trees have smooth, oval leaves that come to a point. It's a maze of leaves and branches. Many animals live in this area since food is abundant. 

Little sunshine reaches the understory layer, so the plants have to grow larger leaves to obtain sufficient sunlight. The plants in this area seldom grow to 12 feet. There is a large concentration of insects here.

The shrub layer and forest floor will be dimmer than other layer. Few plants grow in this area, as a result. Since hardly any sun reaches the forest floor things begin to decay quickly. 

All this layers can only be found on lowland rainforest, as the contour change with increasing height the type canopy and layering also differ transform into montane rainforest.