IMPACT OF LAND USE LAND COVER CHANGES ON WILDLIFE PRESENCE IN ENDAU ROMPIN JOHOR (PETA) NATIONAL PARK Nur Fayyadhulain Mat KHIR, Noordyana, HASSAN, Suzanna Noor AZMY and Mohamad Zakri TARMIDI
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
Abstract
This study was carried out at Endau-Rompin National Park, Johor, Malaysia to determine the impact of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes on animal presence between 2016 and 2020 along non paved road . The main problem addressed is how human activities like as logging and agricultural development trigger habitat deterioration which can affects wildlife presence .Continuous loss of forest cover caused by mankind^s activities has the potential to disturb ecological balance and affect the existence and spatial distribution of species .The study is focused by its two main objectives: (1) to analyse LULC changes between 2016 and 2020, and (2) to determine the impact of animal presence in relation to LULC changes along non- paved logging paths. Satellite imagery classification using Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing techniques are used to determine LULC changes. Camera trap data were acquired from four different sites (Cameras G, H, I, and J) along logging roads. The significance of differences in animal presence across the research years was determined using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The data show that forest areas have been decreasing while agricultural land and bare land areas are increasing. Wildlife presence peaked in 2016 and then dropped in 2019 and 2020. Furthermore, several species^ migratory habits changed, with some becoming more nocturnal possibly as a response to human disturbance. The ANOVA results indicates that LULC changes have a significant long-term impact on animal presence and habit. The relevance of this study derives from its contribution to biodiversity conservation and ecological planning in tropical forest environments. The results can be particularly beneficial to policymakers, conservation-focused NGOs, rural area planners, and scientific groups exploring to balance development and long-term protection of animals.
