Abstract
Exploitation of forest for commercial agriculture has taken toll on wildlife species worldwide. A forest farm project with the aim of compensating the forest loss has been implemented in Kemasul Forest Reserve, of Pahang State, Malaysia through plantation of fast growing and adaptable plant species. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of this practice on diversity. The study was conducted in a long strip of forest fragment, where two study sites with different landscape matrix types were chosen; oil palm plantation (JR) and Acacia malignity plantations (CM). A total of 75 individuals from 13 species and six families were collected at both sites. "f he result shows forest with A. mangium plantations matrix types yield higher species diversity. "{here are 10 shared species that can be found at both study sites including Calloschams natatits, Hystrix braclryura, Alacaca nernestrina, and Tupaia glis. However, some species only existed at selected sites such as Leopoldalnys sabanus which can only be found at 1R. On the other hand, Callosciurus nigrovittatus, Viverra tangalunga and Paradoxurus hermaphroditus were only recorded at CM. Out of all individuals collected, four of them are protected species as reported by IUCN. Callosciurus nigrovittatus is listed as Near Threatened while the other three species (Maxomys rajah,../Ilaxontys whiteheadi, and Macaca ncmestrina) arc Vulnerable. If conservation efforts in Kemasul Forest Reserved arc neglected, these four species would be exposed to critical threats that might cause them facing extinction in the future. Mann Whitney U test shows no significant difference of distribution and species richness of small to medium-sized mammals in both study sites (U=.51.5, p=0.59). This study therefore reveals that although the compensatory forest plantation initiatives yield positive effect on diversity of mammal's species, it does not necessarily provide ample food resources to the wildlife, instead it serves as important buffer zones for wildlife movement.