Mangrove ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity and coastal protection but face threats from climate change and human activities. This review assesses the productivity of the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve (MMFR) in Malaysia, which is recognised as one of the best-managed mangrove forests, while also addressing challenges such as deforestation and climate change-induced factors. This review explores the concept of productivity in mangrove forests, highlighting their role in carbon sequestration and discussing litterfall measurements as fundamental metrics for assessing primary productivity. An analysis of historical changes in MMFR’s biomass and productivity revealed fluctuations influenced by logging, reforestation, and climatic conditions. Trends in MMFR productivity indicate a concerning decline attributed to anthropogenic activities such as aquaculture and industrial projects. A regression analysis conducted on Rhizophora apiculata data with age as the predictor and AGB as the response variable indicated a positive trend (slope = 3.61, R-squared = 0.686), suggesting a quantitative increase in AGB with age. Further analysis revealed a significant negative trend in MMFR’s overall productivity over years (coefficient = −3.974, p < 0.05) with a strong inverse relationship (rho = −0.818, p < 0.05), indicating declining AGB trends. Despite these challenges, this review underscores the significance of sustainable management practices, effective conservation efforts, and community engagement in maintaining mangrove ecosystem health and productivity. In conclusion, sharing management lessons from MMFR can contribute to global conservation and sustainable mangrove forest management efforts, fostering resilience in these vital ecosystems.

Mangroves, situated at the interface between land and sea, are among the most ecologically productive and economically valuable ecosystems in the world

A new species Durio gerikensis (Malvaceae) is described from Hulu Perak, Peninsular Malaysia, it can be easily recognised in the field by its reddish-pink flowers and small (6–7.5 cm in diameter), golden yellowish to pale yellow fruits with persistent calyx. It is unique from all the congeneric taxa by having two to four valved fruits with arilless seeds. Morphologically, Durio gerikensis is similar to D. lanceolatus Mast. (Masters 1875:499) and D. singaporensis Ridl. (Ridley 1916: 143) but they differ in their leaf, flower and fruit characteristics.

Kertas ini melaporkan spesies-spesies daripada famili Actinidaceae yang dikutip sekitar Taman Negara Pahang. Data kajian adalah berdasarkan spesimen-spesimen yang tersimpan di Herbarium Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (KEP). Sebanyak dua spesies daripada satu genus (Saurauia) telah direkodkan iaitu S. nudiflora dan S. pentapetala. Hanya lapan kutipan sampel yang telah dibuat iaitu tiga bagi S. nudiflora dan lima bagi S. pentapetala. Tiada rekod kutipan yang terbaru dari kawasan ini di mana rekod kesemua kutipan adalah pada penghujung tahun 1960an hingga pertengahan tahun 1970an. Hasil kajian membantu dalam menyumbang data kepada senarai semak tumbuhan berbiji di sekitar kawasan ini. This paper reports the species from the family Actinidaceae collected around Taman Negara Pahang. The study data is based on specimens stored at the Herbarium of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (KEP). Two species from a single genus (Saurauia) were recorded: S. nudiflora and S. pentapetala. Only eight sample collections were made, with three for S. nudiflora and five for S. pentapetala. There have been no recent records of collections from this area, with all recorded collections dating from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s. The results of this study contribute data to the checklist of seed plants in this region.

We report new findings on two orchids from protected forests in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia: the mycoheterotrophic Aphyllorchis striata and the epiphytic Acriopsis densiflora var. subpandurata, a newly described variety. Recently collected material enables a reassessment of their morphology and resolution of outstanding taxonomic ambiguities. For A. striata, we provide an updated species description, an identification key for Aphyllorchis in Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand, and designate an epitype to address limitations in earlier type material. For A. densiflora var. subpandurata, we describe the new variety based on its distinct few-flowered inflorescence (8-flowered) and subpandurate labellum and designate its holotype.

Kajian ini melaporkan spesies-spesies daripada genus Xerospermum yang ditemui di Taman Negara Pahang. Sejumlah dua spesies telah direkodkan iaitu X. laevigatum dan X. noronhianum. Kutipan terawal dibuat oleh H.N. Ridley pada 1891 bagi X. laevigatum di sekitar Sungai Tahan. Bagi X. noronhianum, kebanyakan kutipan dibuat pada tahun 1970an dibeberapa lokaliti seperti Sungai Tahan, Ulu Tembeling, Bukit Tersik dan Lata Berkoh. Kajian ini membantu mengemaskini senarai spesies daripada genus Xerospermum di Taman Negara Pahang. This study reports the species from the genus Xerospermum found in Taman Negara Pahang. A total of two species were recorded, namely X. laevigatum and X. noronhianum. The earliest collection of X. laevigatum was made by H.N. Ridley in 1891 around the Tahan River. For X. noronhianum, most collections were made in the 1970s from various localities such as the Tahan River, Ulu Tembeling, Bukit Tersik, and Lata Berkoh. This study helps to update the species list of the genus Xerospermum in Taman Negara Pahang.