Evergreen forest types of the central plains in Cambodia: floristic composition and ecological characteristics

Current vegetation maps show evergreen forests of Cambodia as one homogenous forest type. However, ecological field studies in the central plains demonstrated a heterogenous mosaic different types, each with unique species composition and characteristics. Based on six botanical expeditions, we describe four lowland types: 1) riverine dominated by Dipterocarpus costatus (Dipterocarpaceae); 2) tall dipterocarp Anisoptera costata 3) swamp Macaranga triloba (Euphorbiaceae); 4) ‘Sralao', an open monodominance Lagerstroemia cochinchinensis (Lythraceae). Ordination non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) indicated that types represent well-separated floristic entities Sralao most deviant community. The highest diversity was found ( = 2.65), followed 2.53) 2.34), whereas had lowest 1.64). We argue fieldwork remains essential to refine otherwise based remote sensing, knowledge is conserve Indochina's vanishing biodiversity.