Rainforest Journal

Rainforest Info, Images, and Adventures.

April 10, 2014
by JungleBoy
4 Comments

Gunung Telapak Buruk

Gunung Telapak Buruk is a mountain located near Seremban town, Negeri Sembilan, and stands at a height of 1193 meters ASL, making it one of the tallest mountains in the state. The mountain and adjacent hills (including a nearby peak, Gunung Berembun, from which the forest reserve derives its name) form part of the Berembun Forest Reserve, an extensive forest area (around 50,000 ha) in the middle of Negeri Sembilan – that is mainly harvested for timber. Continue Reading →

February 23, 2014
by JungleBoy
20 Comments

A walk through the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve

Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve (now called KL Forest Eco-Park) is a small patch of rainforest sited in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, at the base of the towering KL Tower, one of the tallest telecommunications structures in the world. Unknown to many, it is a small green patch that still preserves many species and features of the original rainforest that covered Kuala Lumpur at one time. Continue Reading →

October 20, 2013
by JungleBoy
2 Comments

Chengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii)

The chengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii) tree is a species of dipterocarp that is endemic to Peninsular Malaysia (not found in Borneo) and famous for its durable timber quality. It is also found in southern Thailand near the border with Malaysia, and has been said to have once occurred in Singapore, before its development. Chengal (or cengal) is a monotypic genus, meaning there is only one species in the genus Neobalanocarpus (that is known so far). The strength and durability of its wood (classified as a heavy hardwood) has meant that chengal is highly sought after during logging operations, and it is sometimes referred to as the Malaysian Teak. Continue Reading →

September 14, 2013
by JungleBoy
3 Comments

Mangrove forest

Mangrove forests (also called mangal) are a type of wetland rainforest formation that has its own unique characteristics not found elsewhere. Occurring in coastal regions near the equator, the trees in mangrove forests are all adapted to deal with a highly saline environment that would normally be uninhabitable for other kinds of trees.

Globally, mangrove diversity have been arbitrarily divided into two groups, the Old World and New World groups, with the Old World group having by far the richest diversity of tree species, with the mangrove forests in South East Asia (such as in Malaysia) amongst the most floristically developed, in terms of species richness and structure, compared to mangrove forests elsewhere in the world. Therefore, they are of great interest for scientists and naturalists alike. Continue Reading →

August 11, 2013
by JungleBoy
11 Comments

The Neram tree (Dipterocarpus oblongifolius)

The Neram tree (Dipterocarpus oblongifolius) is a fairly common inland riverside tree in the north-eastern half of Peninsular Malaysia and also throughout most of Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Kalimantan, and parts of Sabah). It seems to be absent from the West Coast states, although strangely, seems to be present at the Ulu Kenas Recreational Forest park, near Kuala Kangsar in Perak (which is an exception). In Pahang itself, it is not found in all areas, and therefore can only be considered as locally common. In Sarawak, it is called the Ensurai tree. Continue Reading →