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Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

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Peer-reviewed publication

Conservation gap analysis of endemic dipterocarp in Sarawak using GIS and remote sensing techniques

Dipterocarps or Dipterocarpaceae are a commercially important timberproducing and dominant keystone tree family in the rain forests of Borneo. Borneo’s landscape has been changing at an unprecedented rate in recent years, which affects this important biodiversity. The present paper applies Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) method for modelling the occurrence of the endemic dipterocarp species in Sarawak, which is important for forest biodiversity conservation and management. The results indicate that only 3% and 4% of endemic dipterocarp of Borneo and Sarawak, respectively, are protected in existing totally protected areas (TPAs). The present study also shows that the central part of Sarawak is a hotspot area for both these endemic endemic species (i.e. Borneo and Sarawak). These hotspot areas should be prioritized.