Fern species distribution and its physiological performance at Hutan UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan / Nurhaziqa Abdull Aziz, Lili Syahani Rusli and Nor’aishah Abu Shah

Ferns have a long geological history earliest back millions of years, and they can be found in a variety of environments around the world. This makes them one of the oldest groups of vascular plants on the planet. Ferns played a significant role in shaping the Earth's flora during this ancient period, evolving alongside other plant species and helping to form complex ecosystems. The loss of biodiversity can impair the provision of important ecological services to humans. Hutan UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan has a humid climate and a high potential for pteridophyte growth. There is a lack of knowledge regarding fern diversity, and this study will provide more information about fern diversity. The purpose of this research is to study the distribution of fern species and their physiological performance at Hutan UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan. The study revealed 8 families of ferns that represent 8 genera and 9 species, which include Lygodiaceae, Gleicheniaceae, Pteridaceae, Thelypteridaceae, Selaginellaceae, Osmundaceae, Lycopodiaceae and Polypodiceae. The highest species that was found is Selaginella willdenowii which has 51 individuals and the lowest species that were found is Lycopodiella cernua which has only 3 individuals. The Shannon-Wiener Index was H’=1.95 and the Pielou Evenness Index was J’=0.89. Our findings indicate that relative chlorophyll content is an important measure for characterizing plant nitrogen nutritional status. The highest average of relative chlorophyll content recorded is 52.07±2.18a which is Osmunda vachellii and the lowest is 10.63±2.89f which is Dicranopteris linearis. Overall, the findings suggest that ferns have high biological significance because they have a primitive life cycle with two discrete and more or less independent generations. This study will benefit ecosystems where ferns exist by providing shelter, shade, erosion protection, chemical absorption and microhabitats that benefit other species.