Preliminary checklist on tree flora in community use zone (CUZ), at Ulu Senagang, Keningau, Sabah / Jacqueline Joseph, Johnny Gisil and Afifah Tiamin

Community Use Zone (CUZ) is one of the tangible designated concepts that Sabah Parks successfully realised to promote the proactive engagement of local communities in preserving the ecology and ecosystem balances in the parks while striving to sustain their livelihoods. Hence, documentation on the floristic vegetation, particularly the tree flora in Ulu Senagang, is crucial for monitoring CUZ implementation in the Park’s region. A field survey was undertaken at Ulu Senagang, Keningau, Sabah to document the tree species composition in the study areas. Temporary plots measuring 10 m x 10 m were randomly established in primary forest, secondary forest, and riparian vegetation. The inventory plots are dominated by the tree species from Dipterocarpaceae, Sterculiaceae, and Moraceae families. A survey has recorded two species of Dipterocarpaceae and one species of Tetramelaceae in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Threatened Species. Shorea parvifolia classified as a Vulnerable (VU) while Parashorea malaanonan as a Critically Endangered (CR) species. Octomeles sumatrana of Tetramelaceae listed as the Least Concern (LC) species. With the preliminary findings reported herein, it is plausible justification for the researchers to do a comprehensive study on the tree flora in Ulu Senagang to assess how well flora diversity in Ulu Senagang can blend and adapt amicably to the CUZ approach.