Altitudinal Zonation of vegetation

in the Padang region, West

Sumatra, Indonesia
Sen Nishimura, Tsuyoshi Yoneda, Shinji Fuji, Erizal Mukhtar,
Hisashi Abe, Daisuke Kubota, Rusjdi Tamin and Hiroyuki
Watanabe
The altitudinal gradient of vegetation of the Barisan range in a coastal
region near Padang, West Sumatra, was studied in 10 plots (0.1-6.55 ha)
distributed from 600 to 1780 m. Trees with a diameter at breast height of
more than 10 cm were employed for classification of the vegetation.
Four vegetation zones, two types of montane and two types of lowland
vegetation, were recognized based on cluster analysis, floristic
information and the physiognomy of these forest stands. An upper zone
of montane vegetation (Lower montane Fago-Myrtaceous forest) was
distinguishable from a lower zone (Sub-montane Fago-Myrtaceous
forest) due to the remarkable dominance of several species of Fagaceae
and Myrtaceae, and its lower canopy height.
The two zones of lowland vegetation (Upper hill dipterocarp forest and
Mid-hill dipterocarp forest) were distinguishable by their species
composition of Dipterocarpaceae and stratification of the stand.
The altitudinal zonation corresponded well with classic zonation
patterns previously reported for West Malesia, but the critical threshold
altitudes were lower in comparison with those in other regions
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