RELATION BETWEEN GRASSES AND LARGE HERBIVORES AT THE ULU MUDA SALT LICKS, PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Abstract

CHEW MY, HYMEIR K, NOSRAT R & SHAHFIZ MA. Relation between grasses and large herbivores at the Ulu Muda salt licks, Peninsular Malaysia. Ulu Muda Forest Reserve is known for its salt licks and grassy floodplains. Previous studies largely overlooked the floristic component of Gramineae in this herbivore-rich forest. This paper reports on the dominant grass species present at Sira Bongor, Sira Keladi and Sira Air Hangat salt licks, namely, Hymenachne amplexicaulis, Centotheca lappacea and Oryza ridleyi and describes the niches occupied by grasses at the three sites in relation to signs of large herbivore activities. Preliminary evidence indicated that the salt licks and adjacent H. amplexicaulis swamps were dynamic habitats, plausibly created and maintained by large-bodied herbivores including elephants. The presence of grasses that extended the role of salt licks as places for both minerals and nutritive food intake for large herbivores was discussed.