MOUNTANE FORESTS
Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands
Tropical mountane
forest, often called
‘mossy forest’ are
havens for biodiversity.
Many orchid species
call this their home.
Biodiversity treasure chambers
of the cameron highlands
By REACH
Introduction
The natural forests of the Cameron
Highlands are lush and thriving with
abundant wildlife of small mammals,
birds, insects, flowers and plants that are
not found in the lowlands. The forests
above 1500 meters are known as the
upper-montane forests and are found on
mountain summits and ridges on the
western borders of the highlands. The
lowland Dipterocarp-forest range from 300
meters and above and are mainly on the
eastern part of the district.
Mountain forests
The mountain peaks have forests with
shorter trees (8-15 meters tall) with no
distinct canopy. The trees may be gnarled
and dwarfed but green luscious moss
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paves the jungle floor, creeping up the
tree trunks to envelop the forest denizens
in a soft green carpet. The tree branches
are veiled with moss and filmy ferns. The
forest is shrouded in a soft emerald green
light with wisps of clouds that float
through like soft cotton. Thin shafts of
light penetrate the canopy and reflect off
the dew and water droplets like prisms.
The air is crisps, cool and refreshing and
one cannot help but feel that this is as
close as one gets to be in an enchanted
forest-a forest of mystery and allure!
Mossy forest
The forest is enveloped in moss and mist
and this has made it to become to be
known as the ‘Mossy Forest’ or ‘Cloud
Forest’. Among the mountain peaks that
 MOUNTAIN FORESTS
Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands
Mist and cloud
condensate on the
leaves of trees and
form little streams that
are the headwaters of
our major rivers.
have these mossy forests are Gunung Jasar
(1670m) and Gunung Brinchang (2032m).
Cloud forests are usually found at
elevations of over 1,500 metres above sea
level, and sometimes down to 1,000
metres. In these forests a variety of
orchids growth embedded in beds of moss
and at least four different species of
pitcher plants are found.
The mossy forests play an important role
in ensuring that the rivers in the
highlands do not run dry. The forests of
the Lower and Upper montane zones are
able to strip moisture from the clouds.
This takes place by condensation of the
water on leafs, supplying a reliable and
predictable water supply of very clean
water. The moss then acts like a sponge
which slowly releases the water into
streams and rivers. Although the
Cameron Highlands receives generous
amounts of rain water, this cloud
interception of montane forests is the
source of many rivers in the area. The
small forest streams originated by these
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montane forests are of outstanding water
quality and house very sensitive aquatic
species. The Cameron Highlands forms
thus the headwaters of valuable surface
water resources.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the sum of all species
occurring in an area, the tropic rainforest
is the most diverse ecosystem in the world.
T he Malaysian region is a tru e
biodiversity hotspot with 55.000 flowering
plants (25% of the world’s biodiversity).
Biodiversity of the mountains
The highland forests are known to
contain a diverse array of plant species
and are very biodiverse, with many
species that are restricted to mountains
and highlands. Some plant families,
including the fern flora and orchids are
particularly bountiful in montane areas.
Ferns need a high humidity, and orchids
are often epiphytes; plants living on the
bark of trees.
 MOUNTAIN FORESTS
Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands

The highest peaks,

such as Gn.
Brinchang, harbor the
most extensive cloud
forest with many rare
species of plant and
animal.

The Cameron Highlands great abundance and species diversity.

The natural ecosystem of the Cameron This Lower Montane or Oak Laurel
Highlands is mainly made up by tropical Forest (1,200-1,500m) forest is found in
forest, being the predominant ecosystem. the higher regions between Brinchang
Biodiversity and species occurrence here and Tanah Rata. On the very highest
is characterised by altitudinal zones. From places in Peninsular Malaysia the Upper
low to higher, are first the Hill Dipterocarp Montane or Montane Ericaceous Forest
Forest (300-750m) and the Upper (1,500m and higher) is found. The second
Dipterocarp Forest (750-1,200m) in the name refers to the abundance of species
lower parts of the Cameron Highlands. of heath and Rhododendron found here. At
These forests are named after the most this level, lichen, moss and liverworts
abundant tree-family that is found in occur in abundance giving the forest its
these forests the Dipterocarp-family. This mossy appearance. Because of this unique
family is large, and species diversity is phenomena, the forest is known as
mind-boggling; with up to 500 species of “mossy’’ forest or ‘’cloud forest”.
Dipteracarp-trees in a single hectare of old-
growth primary forest.
Higher up in the mountains Dipterocarps
become less abundant and are replaced
with tropical Oaks (Fagaceae) and Laurels
(Lauraceae). Hence it is often called Oak-
Laurel forest. It is brighter here with less
undergrowth, the leaf litter is thick and
spongy. Many epiphytes and terrestrials
such as orchids and ferns are found in

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 MOUNTAIN FORESTS
Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands
Orchids, like this
Bulbophyllum
virescens, grow
abundantly in the
montane forests.
Cameron highlands heaven for rare
species
In the Cameron Highlands most species
are specially adapted to the local
circumstances and are not occurring at
lower altitudes. These species often need
lower temperatures, greater difference
between day and night temperatures,
much moist and rocky terrain to thrive.
Because of the great diversity in altitudes
and difference in terrain, the mountains
have a whole array of specific ecosystems.
Each ecosystem support habitats for any
different species. Such specific habitats
are also the cause for a high occurrence of
endemic species. These species occur
now-where else in Malaysia or only in
very limited areas. The forests of the
Cameron Highlands is a true haven for
biodiversity with many endangered and
endemic species.
REACH tries to conserve
The Highland ecology of the Cameron
Highlands is extremely sensitive and
fragile to disruption. It is so sensitive
because the unique micro-climate, the
vulnerable rare flora and fauna, the
steepness of the terrain and the intensity
of the rainfall. REACH is saddened and
dismayed by the rapid deforestation and
repeated rape of the virgin jungles. While
development brings about economic
benefits to the community, we fear for the
long term sustainability. We hope to make
people aware of the immense richness
that can be found in our forest and the
urgent need to preserve this natural
habitat of such great biodiversity.