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The negative impacts of development activities toward sustainability of Ayer Hitam Forest
Reserve


Ummu Hani Husna Aziz, Ho Yuek Ming
Faculty of Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
email: ummuhanihusna@gmail.com


ABSTRACT

This paper studies the implications of
development activities toward sustainability of
Forest Reserve Ayer Hitam. Development
activities will impact the sustainability of forest
reserve. The activities of development give a lot
of profit to developers, because developments
offer variety of job opportunities and a place to
stay such as residential projects. However the
environments suffer direct and indirect impacts
from development activities such as soil erosion
and flash flood. Then it happened to forest
reserve where sustainability of forest reserve
was disturbed by development activities. Studies
of the data will provide some insights on how
authorities and the public address and handle
the sustainability of Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve.
In addition, this study also gives an opportunity
to acknowledge the sustainable development in
future prospect of development.
The result of the study showed that most of
respondents agreed that the major factor for
destructive level of forest reserve sustainability
comes from development activities like
population growth, which contributes to demand
of residential area at the surrounding area;
continuous development like commercial
activities and lack of enforcement by authorities.
The implications or impacts towards
sustainability of forest reserve are soil erosion,
the forest reserve becomes smaller and the
pollution at the surrounding area. In addition
the development also impacts the ecosystem in
forest reserve.
Keywords:
Urbanisation,development , Ayer Hitam Reserve
Forest, Sustainable development and ecosystem.





1. INTRODUCTION

Naturally the function of forest is to give
pleasant feeling to community or the public in
developing areas. Currently there are talks and
discussions about the impacts of green areas and
parks as focal point to community to interact
with each other in residential area while
promoting parks as a social place (Gobster
1998). According to (Taylor 1998) the
importance of vegetation and green space is due
to being the symbols of stronger neighbourhood,
and community use the place as focal point.
Plants in a good landscape give good impacts to
green space as a focal point for community.
However according to (Bixler 1997; Knight
2013) not all residents live near to parks to
utilize the plants area and the place always
contribute to crime when the plants not well
maintain.

Green space or forest is important because forest
and tree resources are known to have a wide
range of socio-cultural, economic and
environmental values. Meanwhile the value of
the forest is also increasingly recognized as
extending beyond rural areas and so trees must
become compatible with and functional in the
urban environment. These include the use of
forests as resources for education and recreation,
and also the role of forests in conservation of
biological diversity as well as in maintaining
global climate. In the last role, there has been
much debate and even controversy, although it is
now accepted that forests are important as sinks
and sources of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is
important in combating global warming. More
recently, urbanisation has been identified as
environmental stressor (Marshall 2005).
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According to (Jahi 2009) natural resource should
have a good management and maintenance
because if the natural resource do not have a
good management it will cause dreadful
conditions.
Urbanisation and development in fact are related
to each other -- the development causes the
urbanisation. The urbanisation happened when
the size of population increase and the size of
urban areas expand. Hence, urbanisation is
associated with the population growth, economic
growth, social and physical environment. The
migration is higher in urbanisation process
which causes increasing demand for residential,
commercial complexes, office buildings,
industrial properties, recreational facilities,
schools, health centres and other public
amenities. The urbanisation and development
process in Malaysia is same with other countries
in Asia, currently the development is fast. Most
of population stay in urban city because rural or
countryside does not have variety of job
opportunity and economic boon like in the urban
city that contributes to urban growth.
Urbanisation can be defined as a phenomenon
characterized by an increasing higher proportion
of urban population compared to the total
population (Ghani et.al 1997). This phenomenon
can be attributed to natural population growth,
the transformation from traditional to modern
society and changing economic activity from
agriculture to manufacturing (Agus 2006). This
chapter will discuss about the definition of
urbanisation and the process of urbanisation in
Malaysia. Consequently this chapter also discuss
the urbanisation process and housing policy in
Malaysia.

Problem statement

Development is something that is needed by a
country to move forward. Planned development
is essential to being no severe negative impact
on the environment. Environmental and forest
reserves is particularly important to care by the
community.The site area was choosed because
of the issues regarding to the development.
Currently, the issues is regarding to social and
physical issues. The study is important to
highlighted the major causes might give a
negative impact to the reserve forest.

Research Objectives:

1. To identify major factors contribute
to negative impacts of development
towards sustainability on Air Hitam
Forest Reserve
2. To identify negative impacts of
development activities towards
sustainability on Air Hitam Forest
Reserve

1.2 Literature Review

Basic and Public Facilities
Basic facilities such as water supply, electricity
and telephone lines are basic needs that must be
provided by the developer. Failure in providing
these basic facilities by developers will influence
the demand for property. In addition to basic
facilities, public facilities such as public
transport, parking lots, financial institutions, and
so on are also important in influencing the
demand for residential property. It is often the
main factor considered by an individual who
wants to purchase a property (Jasdy, 2004).

Development Approval Policies and
Procedures
Land is a state jurisdiction. State Authority
implements a policy in which the owner or
applicant who intends to develop the land as a
housing development, industry, or for multi-uses
shall first obtain the approval from the State
Authority. This includes the process of approval,
land status change, and land subdivision change
requirements and so on. Planning permission is
required before the development work carried
out. In Malaysia, the development control
system is carried out by the Local Authority
(LA). LA acts to regulate, control and plan the
development and management of development
in their area of jurisdiction. In addition to the
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state land office, local authorities, assisted by the
relevant agencies play a comprehensive role in
terms of providing technical review of whether
either to support or not to support an application
is based on the development plan or other
considerations. Actual results of the
development application depend on approval
from the State Authority. Bureaucracy in
agencies involved in land development such as
procedures of proposed development approval
affects the price of housing schemes.

Theory of Urbanisation and development:
In urban areas, land is used for various purposes.
Land is mainly used for housing, while other
uses include activities such as industry, business,
recreation, transportation, public services and
facilities (Katiman, 1988). The structure of urban
land use since the early days of urban
development in the world can be described using
the Classical Land Use Models. In those
models, housing is positioned as one of the
important components of a city. A group of
sociologists from the University of Chicago has
developed some generalizations about the
structure of cities in the United States in the
1920's and 1930's. It should be noted here that
the generalization that they highlight is designed
according to the situation of the municipality at
the time. Therefore, if comparison is to be made
with that municipality nowadays, adjustments
must be made so that the elements of urban
renewal can be put in place in the generalization
or the models.
A few authors have put forward their theories
that emphasize the importance of a city and
again housing is positioned as one of the
important urban components for the urban
population. Among those who have presented
the basic urban theory in the early stages include
Richard M. Hurd (1903), Ernest W. Burgess
(1925), Homes Hoyt (1939), Chauncy D. Harris
(1945) and Edward L. Ullman (1945). From time
to time there have been some changes in the use
of the theories presented. However, basically
there are important and distinct features which
serve as foundation to other theories and models
later.
One of the earliest urban theories that shows the
importance of housing in an urban area was
proposed by Richard M. Hurd (1903) through
the writing of 'The Principles Of City Land
Values' in 1903. By using a descriptive model in
circle shape, Richard made observation on the
patterns of urban growth in the United States and
Europe. He discovered that cities experienced
growth process that appears to follow a circle-
like development. Initially the development of
the city began in the city centre and later
expanded towards the periphery direction,
especially along the road transport network. This
theory did not receive wide attention and
therefore abandoned due to the need for such
theory was not so urgent at that time.

The urbanisation Rate for Selangor :
Urbanisation rate of Selangor state at 87.55% in
year 2000 and is expected to continue to rise to
94% in year 2020. There are many factors
contributed to this rapid urbanisation in
Selangor. This situation can be seen especially in
population center such as Ampang Jaya, Cheras
and Kajang. Normally, these areas become the
settlement area for those who are working in
urban centre such as Kuala Lumpur.
Social and Demographic Factors
Social factors also affect the demand and supply
of residential property. Environmental
characteristics of the population may indicate
user behaviour in an area. Income, size of
household and consumer tastes is important
factors in analyzing the development of
residential and commercial property
(Wurtzebach and Miles, 1994). Population is an
important element in the demographic factors.
Population can be analysed in quantity and
quality. Quality refers to population
characteristics such as age, education level and
tastes while quantity refers to the population size
and growth. The larger the population size, the
broader the market area. In general, the supply of
property is limited and is not able to meet the
demand in a short period. The increase of
population in an area, such as migration from
rural to urban areas will increase the demand for
properties, leading to an increase in price. On the
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other hand, prices may also
changes in the population.
migration from one area to an
cause property in an abandoned a
in value due to lack of demand.

Location and Site
One of the important factors tha
the feasibility of a project is the
property (Hamid, 2006). Therefor
major consideration for the d
development project. The develop
a suitable and strategic location
property development. Accord
(2003), the location is one of the
affect the price other than th
condition of property. Gene
situated in a good location, in
example, has higher value than
property development, the chose
site are usually located in the ci
the main roads and in are
populations.



Study Background:
The Ayer Hitam Forest Reserv
recognized and acknowledged
UPM, particularly the Faculty of
area designated for the purpose
research and extension that play
role as a place of reference fo
students. This forest has been
variety of academic activities th
field work for courses such
ecology, silver culture, forest men
survey, forest management, soi
wildlife management. New
acquainted with the forest throu
programs while final year stud
research projects in the forest rese
is being introduced to studen
faculties as well as members
through extension programs suc
and motivational programs alo
trekking activities which inculc
teamwork.
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decline due to
For example,
another that may
d area to decrease
that will influence
the location of the
fore, it is always a
developers in a
loper must choose
for the planned
ording to Ismail
factors that may
the design and
nerally, property
in urban areas for
the suburbs. In
osen location and
city centre, along
areas with large
erve, Puchong is
d by citizens of
of Forestry, as an
ose of education,
lays an important
for our staff and
een utilized for a
that encompasses
h as dendrology,
enstruation, land
soil science and
w students get
rough forest camp
tudents carry out
eserve. This forest
dents from other
rs of the public
uch as leadership
long with jungle
lcates a sense of

Map : Reserve Forest ar
Sources: Local Plan o
Subang Jaya

Population:
Total population for
85,839 in 1991 to 466,0
yearly population growt
below show the populati
according to planning blo
Total overall population
168,608 people (36.18%
Subang Jaya-USJ. Fol
Kembangan with 98,97
addition the rapid grow
increasing the populat
people (19.36%) followe
77,628 people (16.66%
closely same for BP 3 P
people and BP 6 Ban
12,463 people (2.67 %
Subang Hi-Tech Putra
with 5,747 people (1.23%

t area by block
n of Majlis Perbandaran
r MPSJ increased from
6,015 peoples in 2000.The
wth rate is 19.8%. Table
lation distribution in MPSJ
block.
on for MPSJ residence was
8%) concentrated at BP 1
ollowed by BP 7 Seri
,972 people (21.24%). In
rowth in BP 5 Puchong
lation growth to 90,207
wed by BP 4 Kinrara with
6%). Total population is
Putra Height with 12,390
andar Putra Permai with
%). Meanwhile BP 2
ra is less population sum
3%).
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Table : Development Block
Source: Department of statistic Malaysia 2000
The total assumption for population growth in
MPSJ in 2015 is 642,100. The areas with rapid
development are Bandar Kinrara, Taman Bukit
Kuchai, Taman Bukit Kinrara and Bandar
Puchong Jaya. These areas are connected by
Lebuh Raya Damansara Puchong (LDP). Ayer
Hitam Forest Reserve, in BP 4, holds population
of 77,628 people with the size of 1,963.92
hectares.
The components of land use in BP 4:
Land Use Total
(Hectares)
%
Residential
Sub Total 544.74 27.74
Commercial
and service

Sub Total 94.87 4.83
Industrial
Sub Total 96.94 4.94
Institution and facilities
Education 94.99 4.84
Health 4.53 0.23
Safety 4.74 0.24
Religious 12.52 0.64
Government
Use
43.44 2.21
Others for 6.11 0.31
facilities

166.35 8.47
Open Space and
Recreation

Sub Total 235.10 11.97
Transportation
Sub Total 716.07 36.46
Table : Total size of land use under BP 4
Sources: Selangor structure plan 2012

The surrounding development:
The Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve (AHFR)
Puchong, situated about 20km from University
Putra Malaysia and approximately 45km from
Kuala Lumpur Located at the heart of a fast
developing area, it is flanked by the
administrative capital, Putrajaya and residential
area at Bandar Kinrara towards the north,
Bandar Puteri lies to its west and Taman
Desaminium in the east. Close at hand in the
south lies the Federal Territory of Putrajaya.
Forest area Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, with a
landmass of 1248 hectares is part of the main
forest reserve which is the earliest to be gazetted
in Selangor in 1906. This forest reserve, which
encompasses compartments 1, 2, 12, 13, 14 and
15, holds the distinction of being the sole
Dipterocarp forest that is still intact and perfectly
preserved in the Multimedia Super Corridor
area. The Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve is placed
under the jurisdiction of the Selangor Forestry
Department and has been granted an 80 year
long-term lease agreement commenced in 1996
by the Government of Selangor to the University
Putra Malaysia for the purpose of education,
research and extension in forestry.


2. STUDY AREAS AND METHODS

Site selection and description:

The location of the study was chosen and
categorized as forest reserve under Selangor.
They comprise of 1,248 hectares, and is part of
the main forest reserve which is the earliest to be
BPK Blok
Perancangan
Population Percentage
(%)
BP 1 Subang Jaya
USJ
168,608 36.18
BP 2 Subang Hi-
Tech
5,747 1.23
BP 3 Putra Height 12,390 2.66
BP 4 Kinrara 77,628 16.66
BP 5 Puchong 90,207 19.36
BP 6 Bandar
Putra
Permai
12,463 2.67
BP 7 Seri
Kembangan
98,972 21.24
Small Amount 466,015
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gazetted in Selangor in 1906. This forest
reserve, which encompasses compartments 1, 2,
12, 13, 14 and 15, holds the distinction of being
the sole forest that is still intact and perfectly
preserved in the Multimedia Super Corridor
area. The current authority of this area is
University Putra Malaysia.

Data Collection
The methods used for this study is
questionnaires survey. The methods were mixed
between open ended and closed ended questions.
The theory used for size of sampling is Small
Sample Technique. The number of sampling
depends on the population at the study area. The
sampling method that was implemented in this
study is small sample sampling.
The group of sampling was categories under
public or local community and authority for
officers. The community or public are visitors of
the forest reserve and residents at the
surrounding area. The agency managing the
reserve forest is Faculty of Forestry University
Putra Malaysia.

There were 350 questionnaire surveys sampling
selection distributed during the survey day. The
respondents categorized under two groups which
are public and resident living within 500 meters
and 1 kilometers radius from the forest reserve.
There were 250 for public respondents and 100
for residents respondents.
The analysis of this study based on scales, by
using rating scales, Likert scales which are
commonly used for ordinal data was applied for
this study. According to (Jackson 2006), this
type of scale allows respondents to select a rank
or level that represents the direction and strength
of their response.
There are a total of five rating options which are:
strongly not agree, not agree, neutral, agree and
strongly agree. There is a specific value for each
category for every scale. For examples, 1 for
strongly not agree, 2 for not agree, 3 for neutral,
4 for agree and 5 for strongly agree.

Data analysis
Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package
for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21.The
analysis is a related with cause and effect which
is more than one variable. The investigation of
the analysis by using SPSS and Microsoft excel
as a tool for analyzed the data. By using a
technique of descriptive research seeks to depict
what exists in the data. This kind of study does
not seek to measure the effects of a variable but
they seek only to describe.
Calculation of the percentage was used as a tool
of analysis for interpreting of the qualitative
information gathered from respondents. The
percentage of the top major factors for the
negative effect on reserve forest was calculated
with Excel and the same for major negative
impacts.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The questionnaire has been analyzed and based
on the analysis numerous of findings can be
summarized as below. The percentage was used
to identify the major factors that give a negative
impact to forest reservation.

1) Background of the respondents
2) The Main and major might causes
negative impacts
3) The negative impacts of reserve forest
































Background of the respondents
Source: Survey 2014

Majority of the respondents are from the 21-30
years old group. The percentage of this group of
age is 57.2. The age is to identify the activities
Table No 4: Age of respondents
Age of respondent (years) Frequen
cy Percent Valid
Percent
Cumulat
ive
Percent
Valid
Year 21-30 203 57.2 57.2 57.2
Year 31-40 82 23.1 23.1 80.3
Year 41-50 45 12.7 12.7 93.0
Year 51-60 25 7.0 7.0 100.0
Total
355 100.0 100.0
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relating to this reserve forest.
come to this reserve forest to ex
by jungle trekking and exercising
existing of variable between age
might be giving negative im
awareness of public by using thi
The lowest number of age grou
this reserve forest is at 51 60;
elderly came to this reserve for
exercise by touring the reserve fo

Source: Survey 2014

Based on the table the most of res
diploma level, with the frequency
the highest percentage 21.7%
others. The education of r
important to understand the que
well. Second highest perce
respondents education is degree
respondents understand to
questionnaire compare to the
SPM and lower than.
Sources: Survey 2014

Based on demography analysis,
female participants is highe
participants. The frequency is at
Table No 3: Education Level of respondents
Education level Freque
ncy
Perc
Valid
SPM/SPMV
28
STPM/STA
M/MATRIC
ULATION
76 2
DIPLOMA 77 2
DEGREE 60 1
MASTERS 56 1
PHD 58 1
Total 355 10
Table No.5: Gender of respondents
Gender of respondent Frequen
cy
P
Valid
MALE
114
FEMALE 241
Total 355


ESC5988 ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PROJECTS
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st. Most of them
explore the forest
ing activities. The
ge and factors that
impacts is the
this reserve forest.
roup that came to
0; it is because the
forest to make an
forest.
respondents are at
ncy of 77 and also
7% compared to
respondents is
questionnaire very
rcentage of the
ree, it showed the
o answer the
e respondents at
is, the amount of
gher than male
at 241 with 67.9%
of participants from 355
is 114 with 32.1%. Fro
group of jungle trekkin
and female but the num
higher than male.

The major factors m
impacts to Ayer Hitam


Figure : The percentage of
impacts
Sources: Survey 2012

The data collection is ba
will see the major fac
impacts towards reserv
Similarity by using simp
percentage of the ever
giving negative impacts
forest.
Activities offered in urb
especially located withi
forest reserve has the mo
the reserve forest. In
development gives prio
industry activities in t
Selangor structure plan 2
area and commercial co
built up area in Selango
highest factors that migh
are rapid development
11%
12%
13%
13%
Activities at surrounding mig
Impacts on Ayer Hitam F
Waste
Generati
on from
residenti
al
Industrial Activities
Tourism Activities
Commerci
al
Activities
ercent Valid
Percent
Cumulat
ive
Percent
7.9 7.9 7.9
21.4 21.4 29.3
21.7 21.7 51.0
16.9 16.9 67.9
15.8 15.8 83.7
16.3 16.3 100.0
100.0 100.0
Percent Valid
Percent
Cumulat
ive
Percent
32.1 32.1 32.1
67.9 67.9 100.0
100.0 100.0

55 participants while male
From the observation the
king participated by male
number of female slightly
might causes negative
m Reserve Forest

of factor might causes negative
based on 355 samples; we
factors that give negative
erve forest sustainability.
mple pie chart showed the
ery factor that might be
s on Ayer Hitam reserve
urban areas like Puchong
thin 1 to 3 km from the
most significant impacts to
In addition the recent
riority to commercial and
this area. Followed by
n 2020 the state residential
contributes to 75% of the
ngor. The chart shows the
ight give negative impacts
ent and constructions of
14%
11%
10%
14%
ding might causes Negative
r Hitam Forest Reserve
Rapid evelopment
!astest population
Gro"t#
$oor
environmental
mana%ement
Constructions of #i%#"a&
merci
ivities
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highway with 14% share. This is because
highway and construction need a lot of space for
development normally forest area or reserve land
need to sacrifice the space. While third and
fourth factors are tourism and commercial
activities with 13% each. Commercial and
tourism are tightly related because commercial is
a crowd puller for the area. Tourism activities
like jungle trekking at Ayer Hitam reserve forest
give negative impacts to the land fertility and
alignment of land at reserve forest. Meanwhile
the fifth factor based on the percentage is
industrial activity. In view of the fact that
adjacent site of the Ayer Hitam reserve forest
land has industrial activities. The industrial
activities are the reason people migrated to this
area. Industry gives negative impacts towards
the pollution. The sixth factor is poor
environmental management.

Therefore, the minor or least considered as a
causes of negative impacts to Ayer Hitam
reserve forest is poor management with 10% and
waste generation from house hold with 11%.
Waste water from household is not a big
problem to give negative impacts because of less
residential area. But some of the parts of Ayer
Hitam reserve forest have housing area just 100
meters away from the reserve forest. The poor
environmental management is important to give
to public. However a part of Ayer Hitam
Reserve forest is under the authority of
University Putra Malaysia. The area is illegal for
people without permission to enter. Thus based
on the simple pie chart it can be concluded there
are five major activities at urban areas that might
give negative impacts to reserve forest are rapid
development, construction of highway, fastest
population growth, and commercial and tourism
activities.


Descriptive Statistic:

Descriptive analysis use to summarize the
determine measures of central (mean), measures
of dispersion (range, standard deviation,
variance, minimum and maximum). The
command is found at Analyze descriptive
statistic. According to (Pallant 2010) descriptive
statistics therefore enables us to present the data
in a more meaningful way, which allows simpler
interpretation of the data.


The descriptive analysis showed the summary of
the data analysis. Table 4 showed the factors that
contribute to the negative impacts to Ayer Hitam
reserve forest. The skewness show that the -1 to
-0.5 strongly disagree, -0.5 to 0 is disagree.
While 0 to 1 or >0 is agree to the data analysis.
As the computed p-value is lower than the
significant level alpha =0.05, one should reject
null hypothesis H0, and accept the alternative
hypothesis Ha. The risk to reject the null
hypothesis H0 while it is true is lower than
0.01%.







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n=355 Min=1.00 Max=5.00
Table 6:Descriptive Statistic for factors contribute to the negative impacts on Ayer Hitam Reserve Forest
Source: Survey questionnaire during survey at Ayer Hitam Reserve Forest 2014




1. Rapid Development


Rapid development consist of a similar agree
with 145 respondents with a percentage of
40.8%. The respondents neutral or moderate is
103 respondents with 29% and disagree is 22
respondents with 6.2% and strongly agree about
33 respondents with 9.3%. The median for all
factors show the rapid development is the
highest factor that respondents think gives the
most negative impacts to Ayer Hitam reserve
forest. The reason is because the area and the
urbanisation rate in Puchong are high.
Meanwhile, there are several factors evaluated
based on some indicators. The mean is 3.24,
mode is 4.00, and standard deviation is 1.173
with the skewness -0.75814. Based on
descriptive analysis skewness is negative
approaching to zero. The data is reliable to use
because the margin is small.

2. Constructions of access road
Road and highways constructions and fast
development has been identified as the main
activities that give negative impacts to the Ayer
Hitam Reserve Forest. Construction of access
road highway and major road identified as a
major factor that might give negative impact to
forest reserve with mean 3.15, mode 3.00, and
standard deviation is 1.04 with skewness 0.96.
Based on the skewness the data is highly
significant because the skewness is more than
zero. The stability of data is strong. The standard
deviation is also small which is good evidence to
the analysis. The road accessibility is important
to build as a medium for economic growth.




Variable Descriptive statistic
Valid N Mean Mode Frequency
Mode
Min Max Std.Dev Skewness
Rapid Development n 3.23 4.00 145 1.00 5.00 1.17 -0.67
Fastest Population
Growth
n 2.50 2.00 204 1.00 5.00 0.94 0.97
Poor Environment
Management
n 2.86 3.00 135 1.00 5.00 1.03 0.21
Construction of access
road
n 3.15 3.00 126 1.00 5.00 1.05 0.04
Waste Generation n 2.48 1.00 117 1.00 5.00 1.33 0.34
Industrial Activities n 2.87 2.00 136 1.00 5.00 1.04 0.29
Tourism Activities n 2.92 3.00 126 1.00 5.00 1.09 0.04
Commercial Activities 3.05 3.00 125 1.00 5.00 1.13 0.09
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3. Commercial Activities
Commercial activities have been identified as the
second highest percent activity that might give
negative impacts to reserve forest. The
percentage is 13% with mean 3.05. This area
comprises of so many commercials area which
include retails, restaurants and shopping
complex. According to descriptive statistic, it
shows that the mean of this data is 3.05 with 125
mode of frequency. The skewness is 0.09 and
standard deviation is 1.13. Based on the analysis
the skewness is greater than 0, thus the data is
good.

4. Tourism Activities
Tourism activities seems to not give negative
impacts but once this place are illegal to enter
without permission, the people use a chicken
road or track from the residential area to enter
the reserve forest and it might cause negative
impact to the fauna. The percentage of this
activity is 13% and mean 2.92.

Based on the descriptive statistic the tourism
activities mean is 2.92 and mode of frequencies
is 126. The skewness is 0.04 and standard
deviation is 1.09. The data is also good because
the skewness is >0 and the standard deviation is
1.09 which is small. Based on the interview with
an officer from Faculty of Forestry, similar
opinion was also given that the tourism activities
might cause a negative impact to the fauna and
soil erosion by not using proper track.

5. Industrial Activity
The industrial activities are considered as a
minor factor of negative impacts to reserve
forest. The percentage is 12% and mean 2.86.
This is because the area is not built up in
industrial area compared to residential and
commercial. The descriptive analysis shows that
the mean is 2.87 and mode of frequency is 136.
Then standard deviation is 1.13 with skewness
0.09. The skewness is less than other and less
than 0.

6. Fastest Population

The survey showed the fastest population growth
as minor factor. Based on the descriptive
analysis done, it shows that the mean is 2.41,
mode is 2.0, frequency mode is 204, standard
deviation is 0.94 and the skewness is 0.96. Based
on the skewnees showed that the data is strong to
use because it is > 0. The standard deviation also
has a small margin.
The result of survey showed the respondents do
not agree with the fastest population as a major
cause to negative impacts to forest reserve. The
population growth in this area is fast because of
migration from rural area. The mean fastest
population growth is 2.5, they are 200 of
respondents disagrees with the causes.

7. Poor Environment Management
Based on the descriptive analysis the poor
management mean is 2.86, mode 3.0, standard
deviation is 1.02 and skewness is 0.21. The
skewness >0 means the analysis of data is strong
and proven. The standard deviation showed the
evidence of the factor might be giving negative
impacts to reserve forest.

Poor environment management by an authority
is 12% agree by the respondents as negative
causes. A total of 125 respondents responded
neutral for the cause and mean 2.86. The
management is important to ensure the forest
reserve in a good condition and preserved. Ayer
Hitam reserve forest is under Majlis Perbandaran
Subang Jaya but some of the area is under
management of Faculty of Forestry University
Putra Malaysia. The management seems good
and preserves the reserve forest; people are
restricted from entering the border. Based on
interview with one of the officers from Faculty
of Forestry University Putra Malaysia, it is said
that there is limitation area for public to enter the
ESC598

reserve forest because there are
border. A part of forest reserve u
Putra Malaysia conserved for
public need to get permission to e

8. Waste Generation

Waste generated by the residenti
been identified as an activity wh
impact to forest reserve with a 1
strongly agree and mean 2.48.
generated by residents from
residential area is twice the num
The descriptive statistic show
generation as one of the factor
data. The skewness is 0.35 > 0, a
deviation is 1.33. Mean is 2.48
mode 117. This is verifying th
from residential does not as a m
negative impacts to reserve fore
2.48 and mode of frequency is 11


The negative impacts of reserve

The physical development at the
a process of the transformation
time. Figure below indicates all p
to the forest reserve.

ESC5988 ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PROJECTS
11
are benchmark or
e under University
for research and
o enter this area.
ntial area has also
which might cause
a 120 respondents
8. Usually, waste
m resident from
umber of houses.
owed the waste
or with a relevant
, and the standard
48 with frequency
the waste water
major factor give
rest. The mean is
117.
rve forest
he adjacent area is
ion from time to
ll possible impacts

Figure 2: Pie Chart the percentag
Sources : Survey 2014


There are negative imp
factor. The independents
is the factor might be g
and an independent va
impacts.

Generally the pie chart s
impacts on Ayer Hitam
percentage showed tha
effects from the devel
negative impacts to Aye
The gap between all da
percentage of major imp
disturbing ecosystem. Th
traffic congestion becau
about relating to the traff


1'.1%
1(.')%
1*.+%
The negative impacts on
fores
Removal
of fertile
soil
istur,in%
of
ecoc&tem
C#an%e of
landuse

tage of negtaive impacts
pacts of the variable for
nts variables for this study
e give a negative impacts
variable is the negative
t shows the major negative
itam Reseve Forest. The
that there are six major
velopment activities give
yer Hitam reserve forest.
data is small. The highest
impacts is 17.1% which is
The smallest percentage is
cause the variable is not
affic congestion.
1(.3+%
1(.3%
1(.*+%
pacts on Ayer Hitam reserve
forest
Water
-rosion
!las# !lood
Traffic
con%estio
n
&tem
ESC5988 ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PROJECTS

12

n=355 min =1.00 max=5.00


Table 7:The negatives impacts on Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve
Sources: Survey questionnaire at Ayer Hitam Reserve Forest 2014


1. The disturbance of eco system
The disturbance of eco system happened because
of deforestation. The survey showed that the
respondents highly agree with the major impacts
is disturbance of eco system.
Based on descriptive statistic the mean is 3.10,
the mode of frequencies is 128. The frequencies
and mean showed that the result of the data
analysis is strongly proved the major impacts are
disturbance of eco system. The skewness
showed that the data is strongly agreed with the
number of skewness is more than 0. The
standard deviation also has a small margin which
is highly prove that the data is strongly
Impacts of ecosystem destruction fall as the first
of the highest negative impacts on the reserve
forest. The percentage is 17.1% and 3.10. Most
of the respondents with neutral respond to the
disturbing of ecosystem and 80 respondents
respond agree to the disturbance of eco system in
forest reserve. This is because the area becomes
shrimps because of the development at the
adjacent site and conversion of land from forest
land to commercial and residential.






There are negative impacts of the variable for
factor. The independents variables for this study
is the factor might be give a negative impacts
and an independent variable is the negative
impacts.

2. Loss of fertile and top soil
Second highest of negative impacts is loss of
fertile and top soil increased to flash flood at the
area. The percentage is 16.78% with 3.15 .This
is because the forest reserve has a problem with
soil erosion, there is several reasons it happened
likes the juggle tracking and land conversion

The negative impacts are loss of fertile soil, it is
important to avoid land slide especially during
raining day. The descriptive analysis showed
that the mean of this study is 3.03 and mode of
frequency is 127. The skewness of this factor is
0.025 which is the data is agree and support by
the standard deviation is 1.12 with a small
margin.




Variable Descriptive statistic
Valid N Mean Mode Frequency
Mode
Min Max Std.Dev Skewness
Water Erosion 355 3.04 3.00 110 1.00 5.00 1.07 0.02
Removal of Fertile soil 355 3.03 3.00 127 1.00 5.00 0.94 0.02
Caused of flash flood 355 3.07 3.00 125 1.00 5.00 1.02 0.03
Traffic congestion 355 3.17 3.00 127 1.00 5.00 1.05 -0.12
Disturbing of ecosystem 355 3.10 3.00 128 1.00 5.00 1.33 0.04
Change of Land use 355 3.15 3.00 132 1.00 5.00 1.04 -0.07
ESC5988 ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PROJECTS

13
3. The risk of flooding
The risk of flooding is a one of the major
impacts by the lost of fertile soil. Fertile soil is
important to avoid a flood. The descriptive
analysis showed that the mean is 3.07 and mode
of frequency is 125 the mean is moderate and
significant to the variable. It is showed that the
data is strongly agreed by respondents. In
addition the skewness of this data is 0.03 less
than 0, it showed the analysis of data is agree
and support by the standard deviation with
1.01,then the negative impacts is tangible
support the independent variable.

4. Water erosion and water polluted

The highest percentage of the respondents
responds the negative impacts on the reserve
forest is 16.39 and mean 3.11which is moderate
and significant. The water body polluted might
be polluted by the recent activity especially road
and highway construction. The impacts is
because the conversation of land from forest to
commercial or residential area. The area has its
own value with a beautiful water body. The
structure of water change cause to water erosion.
Table showed the skewness is 0.02 ,the
skewness is agree and the variable is significant
to the analysis . The standard deviation is 1.071
,the gap is quite wide. It is means the impacts is
not a major negative impacts.

5. Traffic congestion

The second lowest negative impacts by the main
negative impacts are traffic congestion with
10.19% and 3.18 mean which is moderate. It
showed traffic congestion happened because the
area is crowd with a number of residents with a
high number of residential areas.

Based on the descriptive analysis showed that
the mean is 3.17 and mode of frequency is 127,
the mean and mode of frequency showed the
number of respondents agree this is a negative
impacts related with the variable. The skewness
also showed the data is strongly use because the
skewness is 0.122 less than 0. The standard
deviation is strongly support the variable
because the small gap between the data.


5. The change of land use
The change of land use voted a s lowest negative
impacts to the forest reserve with the percentage
16.9 and 3.08. The change of land use is a
negative impact because of it is making the area
of forest reserve becoming shrinking.

The descriptive statistic showed that the mean of
this variable is 3.15 and the mode is 132, it is
showed that the negative impacts are highly
agreed by the respondents as minor negative
impacts to the reserve forest. However the
skewness showed the variable is disagree. It is
because the skewness is -0.07 is far by
approaching 0. Then this variable is not relevant.

Conclusion

The development process is important to the
country while not give a negative impact to the
environment. However sustainable development
is hard to achieve while Klang Valley faced an
urban growth such a mushroom growth after
rain. Forest Reserve was gazette for balance
development in south Klang Valley or in Subang
Jaya district, Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam was
chooses as a forest reserve for public indulgence
the natural. The development at the surrounding
of Ayer Hitam Reserve Forest was disturbing the
sustainability of reserve forest. The implications
of reserve forest got direct and indirect impact
by development. The development at the
surrounding area much give a negative impacts
to forest reserve likes flash flood, soil erosion
and shrink of land. In addition there are also an
issues regarding to social impact by the
development. As a beginning steps to cure or
prevent the harsh of environment an authority
ESC5988 ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PROJECTS

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should monitor and strictly monitor the
development.

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