Herpetofaunal richness in Sungai Sedim Forest Eco Park: strengthening the park’s ecotourism value

Abstract

The Sungai Sedim Forest Eco Park, located within compartment 16 of the Gunung Inas Forest Reserve in Kedah, was surveyed to document the diversity of herpetofauna and update existing species records. Given the rapid growth of ecotourism in Sungai Sedim Forest Eco Park, a robust and current ecological baseline is required to ensure sustainable management and the development of tourism products that emphasize biodiversity. Using the visual encounter survey (VES) and pitfall trapping methods, the survey was carried out throughout five sampling sessions from July to October 2022. A total of 45 species, comprising 169 individuals, were successfully recorded by the study. Among the recorded species, Hylarana labialis was the most abundant, with 17 individuals, followed by Leptobrachium hendricksoni with 16 individuals, Amolops larutensis with 15 individuals, Limnonectes blythii and Odorrana hosii with 14 individuals each, and for reptile Gonocephalus grandis with 10 individuals and Cyrtodactylus consobrinus and Cyrtodactylus quadrivirgatus with eight individuals each. Clear, shallow streams and freshwater swamp forests are associated with the abundance of Hylarana labialis. Furthermore, the survey highlights the ecological richness of the area, with the remaining individuals representing a variety of species, each with fewer than 10 individuals recorded. Diversity indices revealed a consistently high level of species diversity, with Simpson’s Index (1-D) ranging from 0.8166 to 0.9282, and Shannon-Wiener Index (H’) ranging from 1.851 to 2.81. Pielou’s Species Evenness (J’), which ranged from 0.7549 to 0.917, indicates moderate to highly uniform species distribution across sessions. At the same time, the species accumulation curve did not reach the asymptote. The findings from the herpetofauna survey in Sungai Sedim Forest Eco Park strongly affirm the ecological value of the area and provide a scientific basis for expanding its ecotourism focus beyond adventure-based activities. The richness, diversity, and even distribution of species observed suggest a stable and relatively undisturbed habitat, positioning Sungai Sedim Forest Eco Park as an excellent location for conservation-oriented ecotourism.