Conserving the Northern forest of Okinawa Main Island is very crucial and the selection of significant areas to be protected is a complex and challenging process. The altitudinal gradients provide ideal settings to determine priority area for conservation hence improving our understanding of species richness and distribution pattern. The study sought to identify potential conservation areas (PCAs) in the subtropical forest of Okinawa Island based on the Digital Terrain Model (DTM). Different elevation levels range from were overlaid with forestland owner boundary data, vegetation, protected parks and accessible forest road. Results showed that the available PCAs decreased with an increase of elevation gradient. Protected sites require a small area as possible to allow competing demands for development and other human activities. Considering the influence of the qualitative factors for site selection, the middle-peak elevation region in the study area was chosen as the priority area for protection and conservation sites. This finding was also compared to the preceding studies which influenced the diversity of flora, fauna, climate, and geographical factors at different altitudinal levels.

This study examines the impacts of recreation activities on Mount Tahan (2187 m a.s.l); the highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia by assessing tree diameter, height, leaf area, sapwood area, and chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) of selected species. Vegetation cover was also determined by counting the number of species. Two most dominant tree species in the study plots, i.e., Tristaniopsis fruticosa and Baeckea frutescens were selected as representative to assess the impacts on the vegetation growth. Both tree species dominated over 50% of total vegetation in both areas. Meanwhile, CF was determined on T. fruticosa since this species was the only broadleaf species found in both areas. Four plots sized 20 m X 20 m representing each disturbed and undisturbed were established in camping and trampling areas. The total number of plant species recorded was 29 in both camping and trampling areas but was found less in disturbed plots. Impacts of trampling and camping on all the parameters at higher altitude in disturbed plots were significantly different from those in the undisturbed plots. For trampling, all growth parameters taken in disturbed plots were found lower than in undisturbed plots. For camping, however, the mean values of vegetation cover were found Journal of Sustainable DevelopmentJuly, 2009 115 lower in disturbed plots compared to undisturbed plots but the mean values of tree diameter, height, leaf area and sapwood area were found greater in disturbed than in undisturbed plots. In contrast, all CF parameters were found higher in disturbed plots for both trampling and camping areas.