Abstract
The Klang Gates Quartz Ridge (KGQR) is proposed for protection as National Heritage and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its spectacular size, exceptional beauty and significant biodiversity. The checklist of vascular plants documents 314 species that comprise a unique combination that grows on lowland quartz and that is distinct from the surrounding lowland equatorial rain forest by the absence of orchids, palms, gingers and tree canopy families. The Rubiaceae, Gramineae, Moraceae, Apocynaceae, Melastomataceae and Polypodiaceae are the most speciose families. The summit vegetation at 200–400 m elevation is dominated by Baeckea frutescens (Myrtaceae) and Rhodoleia championii (Hamamelidaceae) and shows similarities to the plant community on rocky mountain peaks above 1500 m. About 11% of its species are endemic in Peninsular Malaysia and four are endemic to KGQR: Aleisanthia rupestris (Rubiaceae), Codonoboea primulina (Gesneriaceae), Spermacoce pilulifera (Rubiaceae), and Ilex praetermissa (Aquifoliaceae). All four are provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered. Two, Eulalia milsumi (Gramineae) and Sonerila prostrata (Melastomataceae), are endemic to KGQR and a few neighbouring smaller quartz dykes. They are assessed as Endangered. The KGQR is a fragile habitat and conservation management is urgently required to halt the spread of the aggressive alien grass, Pennisetum polystachion and to prevent further habitat degradation from visitors. Based on KGQR being a threatened habitat, its biodiverse flora, and endangered species, it qualifies as an Important Plant Area.
Highlights
The Klang Gates Quartz Ridge (KGQR), renamed Gombak Selangor Quartz Ridge (Mohd.-Zainuddin 2015), is a 14 km-long quartz dyke (3.12N, 101.42E to 3.15N, 101.48E) 12 km northeast of Kuala Lumpur in the state of Selangor, Malaysia
Accessibility and proximity to Kuala Lumpur means that many botanists have from time to time collected plants there so its flora can be said to be well-collected
An example of the importance of making herbarium specimens is illustrated by the case of Hoya mappigera, a species only described in 2011 but that had been collected from the KGQR in 1962 (Sinclair 10730) under the name Hoya campanulata
Summary
The Klang Gates Quartz Ridge (KGQR), renamed Gombak Selangor Quartz Ridge (Mohd.-Zainuddin 2015), is a 14 km-long quartz dyke (3.12N, 101.42E to 3.15N, 101.48E) 12 km northeast of Kuala Lumpur in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Rising to about 400 m, it dominates the skyline north of Kuala Lumpur and is believed to be the longest exposed quartz dyke in the world. Running from east to west, it is flanked to the north by the Hulu Gombak Forest Reserve Extensions and the Klang Gates Dam, a large reservoir covering 207 ha that supplies water to the capital, Kuala Lumpur. The dyke was exposed as the surrounding granite material weathered away revealing sheer pale grey or white vertical cliffs rising above the surrounding vegetation. The pure quartz weathers to coarse sand that is very nutrient poor, has poor water retention, and has crumbled to form a steep base of colluvium with 30–35° and in places up to 60° slopes
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